My Continuing Journey from Adoption to Identification as a Cree man: An Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry

• Author / Creator

  Cumming, Ian. J.

• This autobiographical narrative inquiry is an inquiry into my experiences as an infant adopted into a white family through to my experiences of finding my birth mom and finding my Cree homeplace. I begin with little knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and their lives. Through inquiry into my school experiences, into a journey with my adoptive family to what was called “Indian Country”, into my undergraduate university experiences with professors and classmates, and eventually into my journey to meet my birth family on Beaver Lake First Nation, I move to an understanding and acceptance of myself as a Cree man.This thesis focuses on my growing understandings as I moved from little knowledge of my cultural background and discomfort with being Aboriginal to seeking information and experiences that enabled me to complete the search for my Cree home and family. Many aboriginal children have been adopted out of their culture and face a similar journey (Coates, 1999). Using the methodology and methods of autobiographical narrative inquiry, I showed my emotional journey as an adoptee to accept and claim my heritage. My field texts included conversations with friends, mentors, family members, professors, and teachers, journal entries, maps, memory box artifacts, and photographs. I inquired into these field texts through the three dimensional narrative inquiry space. I wrote two narrative accounts, one of my journey through “Indian Country” and another of my journey to my Cree homeplace and family. The findings show my understandings of the complexity of being an Indigenous warrior that includes well-thought out choices, willingness to stand by the choices, and the value of planning ahead. I came to see both my birth mom and adoptive mom as warriors. As I came to realize that I needed strong mentors and safe spaces to successfully complete my journey, I now recognize that many members of marginalized communities, which often include First Nations youth, would benefit from mentors and safe spaces.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Journey Adoption Identification Cree Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry

• Graduation date

  Spring 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-efjz-fz52

• License

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