Healing the Spirit: Exploring Sexualized Trauma and Recovery among Indigenous Men in Toronto

Colonial policies in Canada have led to social disruption and intergenerational trauma across Indigenous nations, contributing to high rates of sexualized violence within many communities. While mental health and social science discourse has identified the harmful impacts of violence against Indigenous women in Canada, there continues to be a lack of focus on the unique mental health needs of Indigenous men in this regard. This article reviews the results of a nationally funded research study which looked at the mental health and healing needs of Indigenous men in Toronto who have experienced sexualized trauma. This study followed Indigenous protocols for research and was conducted in partnership with Anishnawbe Health Toronto, a culture-based community health center. The methodology utilized a narrative inquiry and interviewed six community men about their recovery journeys and ten community healers and counselors about recovery through a gendered lens. The results explore the discourses that contribute to the social construction of masculinity(ies) and the impacts of these social norms on help-seeking behaviors. These results inform culturally appropriate and gender-relevant mental health service provision for Indigenous male clients recovering from sexualized trauma.