Exploring the workplace experiences of Indigenous workers regarding cultural connectedness and mental health outcomes in Northwestern Ontario

Abstract

Indigenous peoples in Canada face significant disparities in mental health outcomes, which is a challenge that extends into the workplace. Indigenous workers often face a range of workplace factors that contribute to negative mental health outcomes, including discrimination, racism, historical trauma, a lack of cultural safety, and lateral violence. The primary objective of this study was to explore the workplace experiences of Indigenous workers regarding cultural connectedness and mental health outcomes in Northwestern Ontario. The current state of the literature around Indigenous workplace mental health demonstrates a lack of knowledge and understanding of how Indigenous workers experience the workplace, for which this study aimed to contribute to. This study conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with Indigenous-identifying participants working in the Northwestern Ontario region, which were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed key knowledge related to cultural connectedness, mental health, and workplace experiences. The results highlight community recognition as an emergent workplace factor for Indigenous workers, which is not included in Canada’s National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, suggesting that there are workplace factors that are unique to Indigenous workers. This demonstrates the interconnectedness of mental health and cultural connectedness with the workplace. These findings can be used by workplace health and safety representatives to develop and implement policy that is aimed at improving Indigenous worker mental health.