Intergenerational Trauma and Homelessness: Examining the Impact in the Aboriginal Population of Canada

In this document we will discuss about Intergenerational Trauma and Homelessness and below are the summary points of this document:- The paper explores the connection between intergenerational trauma and homelessness in the indigenous population of Canada. The impact of colonialism, particularly the Indian Residential School System, is highlighted as a significant factor contributing to intergenerational trauma. The dysfunctional family structures resulting from the trauma have led to a high prevalence of homelessness among the indigenous population.

Running head: INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
Intergenerational Trauma and Homelessness
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Background................................................................................................................................3
Problem statement......................................................................................................................4
Rationale....................................................................................................................................4
Aims and objectives...................................................................................................................4
Research question.......................................................................................................................5
Literature review........................................................................................................................5
Methodology..............................................................................................................................6
Data collection method..........................................................................................................6
Data analysis method.............................................................................................................7
Sample size.............................................................................................................................7
Ethical issues..........................................................................................................................7
Research limitation.................................................................................................................7
Gantt chart..............................................................................................................................8
Expected outcome......................................................................................................................8
Reference....................................................................................................................................9
Introduction

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
Owing to the repressive colonial history, there has been a prevalent fear of cultural
loss within the aboriginal population of the Canada. The fear induced by the forced
discontinuation by the colonisers has been so deep that there resulted in the creation of
traumatic atmosphere (Marsh, et al., 2016). This presence of the traumatic environment
seeped deep into the primary institutions like family making it dysfunctional to the larger
whole (Ben-Porat, 2017). Thus, it can be noticed that there is a high number of homelessness
prevalent in the aboriginal population (Maracle, 2017). . This paper will try to examine the
impact of the intergenerational trauma on the homeless population of Canada.
Background
The colonialism of Canada had its deep impact on the aboriginal population of the
country mainly due to the Indian Residential School System and Aboriginal Child Welfare
System. Under these system the indigenous families were to send their children to the
residential or schools run by the church where the primary aim was to “Christianise or
Civilize” the indigenous children (Lehmann, 2015). However, within these systems many
forms of violence was normalised and attempts were made to strip of the indigenous culture
from them. Thus, the impact was so deep that it has created a traumatic effect on the mind-set
of the aboriginals that got transmitted from one generation to the other (Yehuda, et al., 2018).
This explains the emergence of inter-generational anxiety but the roots are so strong that the
effects are indelible on the lives of the people. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Canada Beverley McLachlin even labelled that there was a practice of s as “cultural
genocide” against Aboriginal peoples (Schiffer, 2017).
Problem statement
This paper intends to see whether the presence of the intergenerational trauma is still
relevant on the lives of the people living in Canada and how does it affect the social

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
phenomena of homelessness. The homelessness in Canada is social problem, which is quite
high as in the report of State of Homelessness in Canada 2016 estimated that 235,000
Canadians experience homelessness in a year. Studies have showed that it is the aboriginals
or the indigenous people that experience homelessness to a critical level.
Rationale
The inter-generational trauma resulted from the exploitative schooling system has a
distressful impact over the lives of the Canadians. The trauma was so disturbing that it made
the primary institution of the family dysfunctional, which can also be the cause of the
increasing homelessness among the aboriginals. This is a social issue because it is the duty of
the state to provide residence to its dwellers but having such a high rate homelessness refer to
a serious problem in execution of public policies of the state (Oelke, et al., 2016). This
research is going to examine the nature of homelessness with intergenerational trauma of the
indigenous population.
Aims and objectives
This paper aims to explore the relation between homelessness and intergenerational
trauma of the indigenous population. This is because the homelessness is an indicator of
personal problem, which is also systematically interwoven with larger social problem.
Moreover, with the fact of having a repressive colonial past the majority of homeless
population can be noticed in the aboriginal population (Grenier, et al., 2016). Thus, this paper
is trying to uncover the cause and effect of the intergenerational trauma with the presence of
homeless population in Canada.
Objectives
 To find out the causal relationship between intergenerational trauma and
homelessness.

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
 To discover the present status of the intergenerational trauma and how is it affecting
the lives of the people.
 To examine how the rising homelessness can be reduced along with the welfare of the
aboriginal population of Canada.
Research question
 What is the causal relationship between intergenerational trauma and homelessness of
the aboriginal population of Canada?
 What is the present status of the intergenerational trauma affecting the lives of the
people?
 What should be done to reduce the rising rate of homelessness and what measures can
be taken to ensure the welfare of the aboriginal population of the Canada?
Literature review
The intergenerational trauma and its impact on the lives of the people
According to Ben-Porat, (2017) the phenomenon by which the children of the
traumatised parents gets affected by their parent’s post-trauma symptoms can be described as
secondary traumatization. This kind of traumatization can be referred as trans generational
transmission of trauma which does not heal but only gets transferred from one generation to
other (Meneiz, 2013). . However in the recent literature studies there has been a tendency of
homogenizing the aboriginals and also pathologizing their condition. Very less studies has
been made on studying there actual condition. In the words of Patrick, (2014) in most
research before the study is made the tone of the research has already set. This is because the
focus is mostly on what is wrong and not on what is going on. Thus, the research is always
done on a pre-set notion of biasness, which ultimately fails in the entire purpose of research.
Overview on the condition of the homelessness prevalent in Canada
Homelessness has been a prevalent social problem in Canada. According to the data
derived from Ipsos Reid poll in March 2013 there are 1.3 million Canadians who have

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
experienced homelessness or extremely insecure housing during the past five years of their
life. In the year 2016, a City of Hamilton survey was undertaken in order to find the
percentage of homelessness and it was found that 28% of the homeless were identified as
Aboriginal. Due to the post-traumatic experience of the people, they experience isolation in
four domains like in family, individual level, community and nation level (DeMaria, et al.,
2017). This ultimately results in the creation of homelessness of the individual. However, it
must be noted that the people do not homogeneously go through these experiences they are
also resilient to certain kind of notions (Brokenleg, 2012). . Homelessness as a social crisis is
a broader issue and must be understood against the total housing inadequacy.
Gaps in literature
Most of the literature related to intergenerational trauma and homelessness has been
undertaken on the sympathizing tone towards the aboriginals (Bombay, 2014). . However in
the recent past things have gone under change which needs to be theorized (Patrick, 2014). .
There are variety of aboriginal healing strategies being act out but their present status has
being less explore and brought into the mainstream culture (Menzies, 2013). . This paper is
going to explore on the present condition of the intergenerational trauma and its relation to
the homelessness problem in Canada.
Methodology
Data collection method
The data for this research will be gathered using primary method of data collection
from the homeless population of shelter home and will include in-depth interviews. Both the
quantitative and qualitative aspect of the research will be focused and it will be using the
mixed method approach. However, secondary materials like journals, books, and other
academic article will be incorporated in the research

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
Data analysis method
The data analysis method for this research will be content analysis of the interview
feedback and it will use the excel spreadsheet to substantiate these interview analysis. In
order to analyze qualitative data content analysis of the interview feedback will be used and
will be thematically explained (Gast and Ledford 2014). These data will be thematically
explained and along with charts and tables.
Sample size
The sample size for this research will be 100 and it will employ non-probability
sampling techniques. This research will engage in purposive sampling and these sample size
will cover those respondent who are aged between 25-30 years.
Ethical issues
In research, ethical considerations must be followed diligently. When collecting
primary data, no respondents were forced and anonymity was maintained throughout the
research. Voluntary participation of the participants were encouraged and there was no logo
or symbol of the company used in the survey paper (Panneerselvam 2014).
Research limitation
In the words of Simonsohnet et al., (2017) every research will have some kind of
limitations in it. The most basic problem of this research can be the limited period of time
along with this unavailability of the proper resources can be a problem area. Lack of fund can
also be a hindrance to this research. Problem may also arise when people refuse to open up.

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
Gantt chart
0-2 3-6 7-8 9-10 14th
Research
Activities
Weeks Weeks Weeks Weeks Week
Research
topic
selected
Review Of
Literature
Data
collection
Techniques
Data
analysis
Final
Outcome
Figure 1:
Gantt Chart
Source: (Created by the Author)
Expected outcome
The expected outcome of this research paper may how that the condition of the aboriginals
has improved and the current crisis of homelessness is an issue at a national level. This paper
will also illustrate on the present status of intergenerational trauma and the way people are
dealing with the patholization and homogenization of their aboriginal identity.

INTERGERNERATIONAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS
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