Indigenous Canadian University Student's Experiences of Microaggressions

Racial microaggressions are defined as daily indignities directed towards disempowered racial groups that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights (Sue et al. American Psychologist, 62, 271-286, 2007b). The purpose of the present study was to investigate Indigenous Canadian university student's experiences of racial microaggresions and provide suggestions for culturally competent educational practices. The study utilized a qualitative method and involved a focus-group and follow-up interviews. Seven domains or themes emerged. These domains were: overt discrimination; assumption of intellectual inferiority; assumption of criminality; invalidation or denial; second-class citizen; racial segregation; and myth of meritocracy. Implications for counselors and educators were discussed.