Collective Care: Indigenous Motherhood, Family, and HIV/AIDS

Collective Care explores urban Indigenous life and caregiving practices in the face of the Saskatchewans HIV epidemic, highlighting the contrast between Indigenous values of collective kin-care and non-Indigenous models of intensive maternal care. It offers an accessible account of an engaged anthropologists work with a vulnerable and resilient community, featuring in-depth narrative interviews, notes from participant observation, and a photovoice component.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2021
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Collective Care: An Ethnographic Account of Urban Indigenous Life and Caregiving Practices in the Face of the Saskatchewans HIV Epidemic
Collective Care is a groundbreaking book that provides an ethnographic account of urban Indigenous life and caregiving practices in the face of the Saskatchewans HIV epidemic. Based on a five-year study conducted in partnership with AIDS Saskatoon, the book explores the contrast between Indigenous values of collective kin-care and non-Indigenous models of intensive maternal care. It highlights how women and men negotiate the forces of HIV to render motherhood a site of cultural meaning, personal and collective well-being, and sometimes individual and community despair.

The book features in-depth narrative interviews, notes from participant observation in AIDS Saskatoons drop-in centre, and a photovoice component. It offers an accessible account of an engaged anthropologists work with a community that is both vulnerable and resilient. Each chapter begins with an ethnographic vignette that introduces central concepts, including medical anthropology, syndemics, kinship, and Indigeneity, with the overall aim of humanizing those affected by HIV in western Canada and beyond.

One of the key themes of the book is the Indigenization of HIV in western Canada. The authors argue that HIV is not just a medical issue, but also a cultural and racialized one. They highlight how HIV is embedded in the social and political structures of Indigenous communities, and how this has led to a range of negative outcomes, including stigma, discrimination, and poor health outcomes.

The book also explores the ways in which Indigenous women and men are responding to the HIV epidemic. They highlight the importance of traditional healing practices, such as smudging, prayer, and ceremony, as well as the role of community-based organizations in providing support and care. They also discuss the challenges that Indigenous women and men face in accessing healthcare, including barriers to access, discrimination, and cultural insensitivity.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the way in which the authors use narrative interviews to capture the experiences of Indigenous women and men living with HIV. These interviews provide a rich and detailed account of the challenges that they face, as well as the ways in which they are coping and thriving. The authors also use participant observation in AIDS Saskatoons drop-in centre to provide a firsthand account of the services and support that are available to Indigenous people living with HIV.

Another important aspect of the book is the photovoice component. This component allows Indigenous people living with HIV to share their stories and experiences through photographs. The photographs provide a powerful visual representation of the impact of HIV on Indigenous communities, and they also help to break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination.

Overall, Collective Care is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of Indigenous health, HIV, and social justice. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of the challenges that Indigenous women and men face in the face of the Saskatchewans HIV epidemic, and it offers a range of solutions and strategies for addressing these challenges.

In conclusion, Collective Care is a groundbreaking book that provides an ethnographic account of urban Indigenous life and caregiving practices in the face of the Saskatchewans HIV epidemic. It explores the contrast between Indigenous values of collective kin-care and non-Indigenous models of intensive maternal care, highlights the Indigenization of HIV in western Canada, and explores the ways in which Indigenous women and men are responding to the epidemic. The book features in-depth narrative interviews, notes from participant observation in AIDS Saskatoons drop-in centre, and a photovoice component, and it offers a comprehensive and nuanced account of the challenges that Indigenous women and men face in the face of the Saskatchewans HIV epidemic. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of Indigenous health, HIV, and social justice.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487587635