PhD Oral Exam - Juliet Mackie, Individualized Program

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

This dissertation explores a process of storytelling and portrait painting that illustrates how cultural belonging can be strengthened for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Indigenous peoples and their cultural identities were attacked and disrupted through colonization. The settler state continues to perpetuate harmful misrepresentations of indigeneity as a means of maintaining dominance. In the context of colonial erasure, this research demonstrates the importance of accurate and consensual representations of contemporary Indigenous identities. Interviews were conducted with eight women and Two-Spirit members of the Montreal urban Indigenous community. In a practice guided by their stories and preferences, participants and researcher collaborated to co-curate depictions of their identities into painted portraits. Indigenous and decolonial methodologies and frameworks grounded this study culturally and supported the interpretation of participants’ experiences of cultural belonging. Métis Kitchen Table Methodology, Storywork, and Indigenous Curatorial Methodologies increased cultural safety and embedded traditional knowledges in the research. This project reclaims power and place for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQIA+ who are excluded from the production of colonial representations of Indigenous identities.