Lateral violence as a process in First Nations institutions

• Main Author: James, Gil Rocky Konrad
• Other Authors: Brown, Leslie
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Coast Salish; residential schools; Indian; First Nations
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/3317

This thesis paper was written to meet the requirements for a master's degree in the Studies in Policy and Practice Program through the University of Victoria. British Columbia. A grounded theory was developed studying lateral violence as a process in First Nations institutions in Coast Salish territory. The research question was how does lateral violence function as a process in First Nations institutions? To answer this question, one-on-one interviews were conducted, digitally recorded, transcribed, and analysed using grounded theory techniques. What came from the research findings was a theory on the effects of fear based learning on lateral violence. This research paper looks at the evolution of fear based learning from the Indian Residential School system, into the home of First Nations people, and it's progression from the home into community, and into First Nations institutions. Nine properties of fear based learning were identified. This project contributes as a solution to lateral violence the process of identifying conditions for the perfect storm. Identifying conditions for the perfect storm help administrators navigate developing episodes of lateral violence. Furthermore, this project contributes framing solutions within the Coast Salish cultural and political act of witnessing. Witnessing is seen as providing a cultural foundation for justice. Graduate