The trauma of invisibility: Racial microaggressions and psychological distress among Indigenous peoples in Canada

Racism in Canada systematically marginalizes Indigenous communities, with invisibility emerging as a central mechanism of discrimination. This study examines how racial trauma manifests among Indigenous individuals, focusing on microaggressions, ethnic discrimination, and psychological distress. Invisibility-through erasure of identity, culture, and historical injustices-was a recurring theme in Indigenous experiences of racism, reinforcing exclusion and increasing trauma. A total of 196 Indigenous participants (64% First Nations, 26% Métis, 6% Inuit) across Canada were recruited via an online panel. Participants completed validated measures assessing racial trauma, discrimination-related distress, and microaggressions. Statistical analyses included multiple regression models examining predictors of racial trauma and stress. Results revealed that microaggressions, particularly those reinforcing invisibility, were the strongest predictors of racial trauma. Women reported significantly higher racial trauma scores than men, and Inuit participants exhibited the highest trauma symptoms among Indigenous groups. More than half of the sample exceeded clinical thresholds for racial trauma. These findings highlight the critical role of invisibility in sustaining racial trauma, as Indigenous individuals face microaggressions that erase their cultural identity and lived experiences. Beyond overt discrimination, invisibility manifests through systemic exclusion in policy, health care, and societal narratives. Addressing this issue requires structural reform, Indigenous-led policy changes, and culturally responsive mental health interventions to combat erasure and improve well-being in Indigenous communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).