Submission ID 132010
| Issue/Objective | Ongoing and historical colonization disrupted many traditional Indigenous cultural practices and teachings including coming of age ceremonies which marked the significant transition from childhood to adulthood and the beginning of menstruation. These ceremonies were used to pass knowledge and guidance to children and prepare them for a healthy future. Many Indigenous Peoples in Canada are working to bring back coming of age ceremonies to support the revitalization of culturally grounded sexual health and menstrual health. The World Health Organization has identified universal and equitable access to sexual and reproductive health as a global health priority, and globally there is a lack of culturally safe menstrual health resources for Indigenous youth. The goal of this research is to understand experiences of menstruation among Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and gender diverse peoples (IW2SIQGD), and to create a culturally safe and grounded Indigenous menstruation guide for Indigenous people coming of age. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Utilizing Indigenous methodologies and strength-based approaches, this research is embedded within reproductive justice and Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis+ frameworks. This project is guided by the Indigenous Equity Lab Wisdom Circle which consists of Matriarchs and Knowledge Holders. In depth interviews were held with Indigenous Elders and IW2SIQGD youth who menstruate or have menstruated to understand their experiences of menstruation and to identify ways to create culturally safe resources for young people coming of age. Findings from the interviews will be used to create a culturally safe menstrual health resource guide. |
| Results | Indigenous Elders and Matriarchs highlighted how ceremony and a land-based approaches to menstrual health care and resources are vital for equitable and culturally safe sexual health for Indigenous youth. Indigenous youth identified the need for culturally safe sexual and menstrual health resources that are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and highlights the sacredness of menstruation. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Amplifying IW2SIQGD youth voices in health is vital in ensuring that sexual and menstrual health resources and care are culturally safe and reflective of the needs of Indigenous youth. By creating space for IW2SIQGD youth and Elders to share knowledge and experiences, this work highlights the transformative potential to increase culturally grounded sexual health knowledge and resources. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Cherysh Perry University of British Columbia Cherysh Perry cheryshperry@gmail.com Chelsey Perry University of British Columbia Brittany Bingham University of British Columbia |
