An exploration of 2S/LGBTQ+ Indigenous Peoples’ experiences of knowing, being and doing through occupation

The complex ways in which policies and social institutions (e.g., schools, workplaces, government) impact 2S/LGBTQ+ Indigenous peoples’ experiences of what they do and what they perceive as possible for their futures remains inadequately understood and addressed. Dominant discourses perpetuate problematic homogenized groupings of these communities, rather than considering them in their respective uniqueness and intersectionality. As anti-Indigenous racism and anti-2S/LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy developments continue, there is an urgent need to better understand the experiences of those at the intersections of these forms of oppression. Community-based participatory research exploring influences upon 2S/LGBTQ+ Indigenous peoples’ daily lives and perceived future possibilities is essential for better understanding occupational participation and possibilities among this population. In partnership with two Indigenous-led organizations in British Columbia (BC), this community-based study responds to the urgent need to centre 2S/LGBTQ+ Indigenous Peoples in research about their experiences. The theoretically informed methodological approach for this study, drawing on queer theories, intersectionality and Indigenous métissage, was informed by a community-driven research priority-setting project. This qualitative study utilized individual interviews, participatory occupation sessions, art circles and sharing circles to co-create data with participants. Three main themes were generated, including Intergenerational connectedness, Re/negotiating visibility and power, and Occupational endeavours – how doing takes shape. The findings are a substantial contribution to new theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge, particularly for occupational therapy and occupational science, where there is a paucity of knowledge related to 2S/LGBTQ+ Indigenous experiences.