Women of the Shining Light: Indigenous Mothers, Substance Misuse, Child Welfare, and the Sacred Teachings

Women of the Shining Light is based on research conducted by Cyndy Baskin, the trainer, a non-Indigenous researcher, Indigenous research assistants and an Elder in Toronto, Ontario. From planning to publication, the project was guided by an advisory committee made up of Indigenous community and social services agencies representatives who work with Indigenous mothers with substance misuse challenges and child welfare involvement. The research methodology for this project was based in Indigenous worldviews, using Anishinaabe storytelling circles, the medicine wheel, and Seven Sacred Teachings.

The content of Women of the Shining Light is grounded in pre-contact Indigenous knowledges/worldviews in terms of family supports and child raising, the history of colonization and its current impacts on Indigenous mothers, their families and communities. It looks at ways to lessen the tensions amongst them, substance misuse treatment and child welfare systems. Findings from the project highlights the need for Indigenous family healing centres, the building of relationships between mothers, counsellors and child welfare workers, diverse solutions and ways of helping, and the need for systemic change.

Learning Outcomes

Apply a critical, anti-colonial understanding of how colonization continues to impact Indigenous women and how to be a part of dismantling racist, sexist systems.
Identify the inaccurate information regarding pregnant/parenting Indigenous mothers in health and social services.
Learn how to implement aspects of an Indigenous harm reduction model.
Construct collaborative relationships between service providers, particularly within treatment services and child welfare.
Develop a level of understanding of Indigenous research approaches.