A journey toward self-reconciliation VI Indigenous wisdom unraveling identity: A contemporary issue in nursing

Abstract

The author delves into the intricate layers of identity and responsibility as experienced by an Asian immigrant in Canada. The author grapples with the complexities of being simultaneously an outsider and a participant in settler colonial dynamics. The narrative traces the author's evolving comprehension of her settler identity.

Ethical introspection

With an acknowledgment of her unexamined role within the settler-Indigenous paradigm, heavily influenced by personal and familial histories of colonization in Korea, the author embarks on a journey of discovery. Drawing parallels between intergenerational traumas endured by Koreans during Japanese occupation and those experienced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada, this essay uncovers a sense of solidarity and prompts a critical re-evaluation of her position as a settler by challenging prevailing representations that often overlook non-European immigrants.

A crucial moment in the author's transformation arises from encountering the work of Indigenous Scholar Dr. Baker (2021), shedding light on environmental and epistemic injustices that intersect with the author's familial ties to the Canadian oil industry. This recognition of complicity within settler colonial structures sparks an ethical and professional crisis, catalyzing a profound reassessment of her role within these dynamics.

Philosophical transformation

Central to the narrative is the concept of “unlearning” from Taoist philosophy, which advocates the dissolution of preconceived notions to attain an authentic understanding of reality. This philosophical journey intertwines with Foucauldian reflections on power and knowledge, framing the author's evolution toward a more ethically aware and culturally safe nursing practice.

Calling for decolonization in nursing

This essay calls for a decolonized approach to nursing. The author contributes to discourses on Asian settler colonialism within the settler-Indigenous dichotomy. Via this introspection, the author offers insights into how non-European immigrant nurses can engage in decolonization by promoting a model of inclusive practice particularly for those marginalized by historical injustices.