Representations of Aboriginal women in pregnancy information sources: a critical discourse analysis

Abstract

The goal of this study is to critically examine health information sources in order to determine whether Aboriginal women are represented in these resources, and if so, how they are being presented. This research is intended to illuminate the practices around the construction of information, and to demonstrate that the manners in which information is conveyed can be problematic. To accomplish these goals, critical discourse analysis was utilized to explore both consumer health publications available to pregnant women in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as academic publications available to students and healthcare providers through the University of Alberta Libraries. Through this critical analysis of these resources, it is clear that information is being constructed in a manner that supports neocolonial practices and reinforces negative stereotypes of Aboriginal women. The analysis of these sources also demonstrates ways in which information can be constructed more appropriately, to avoid racializing tendencies.