Refugees’ resettlement in a Canadian mid-sized Prairie city: examining experiences of multiple forced migrations
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 21 September 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experiences of multiple forced migrations and resettlement among two refugee families in a mid-sized Canadian city.
Design/methodology/approach
Case studies are located within the contingencies of the participants’ lives and the meanings they provide to the events. A postcolonial feminist perspective guided the data analysis to explore the micro-level of individual experiences that unfold within a raced, gendered, and classed reality. Open-ended interviews, participant observation, and field notes were used to collect participants’ perspectives. Data were collected until saturation occurred.
Findings
An in-depth analysis of these two case studies revealed that lack of choice and lack of access to health and social services affect health through constant revival of traumatic past experiences prior to arrival to Canada. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: first, shared experiences of forced migrations; second, the past and present: construction of new identities; and third, resettlement challenges and opportunities. These themes overlap and intersect to shape the experiences of double forced migration.
Research limitations/implications
This research has limitations related to the sample size but provides data on a topic that deserves more attention in the field of immigrant and health studies. The authors argue that health and social professionals must resist “finalizing” refugees into disempowered identities that undermine human agency.
Originality/value
Research on resettlement experiences after forced migration is a burgeoning field in refugee studies. The originality lies in drawing on Bahktin to develop practical implications to guide health and social practice in this area marked by racialization and fundamentalism.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research presented in this paper was supported by grants from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation New Investigator Award (Funding reference No. 1848) and a Nursing Care Partnership Grant from the Canadian Nurses Foundation (Funding reference No. 1608) provided to Louise Racine. Dr Lu was the graduate research assistant for this study and participated in every stage of the research. The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of the participants in this study and the immigrant settlement agencies for their support.
Citation
Racine, L. and Lu, Y. (2015), "Refugees’ resettlement in a Canadian mid-sized Prairie city: examining experiences of multiple forced migrations", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 173-186. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-12-2014-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited