Investigación Gerontológica y Geriatría

Abstracto

Grandmothers Caring

Lori Hill*

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand the reasons for aboriginal grandmothers caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis. Fifteen Haudenosaunee grandmothers who were from the six nations territory participated in the study. The results demonstrate that there was a complex process that led them to assuming the caregiving role. While they cared for their grandchildren due to a combination of factors, ultimately, they cared for them as a means of “protecting them from the state” and avoiding child welfare involvement due to the colonialism that is embedded within it. These women served vital matriarchal, leadership roles for healing in aboriginal families and communities.