Support, reciprocity, and kinship as seeds of Indigenous family resilience during <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19

Abstract Objective Our goal was to better understand the impact of COVID‐19 on Indigenous family coping. The focal research question was the following: What protective factors do Indigenous women cite as buffering stressors related to COVID‐19 for themselves and their families? Background During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Indigenous peoples experienced the highest rates of infection and mortality of any racial group; however, consistent with the framework of historical oppression, resilience, and transcendence, Indigenous peoples offset risk through positive coping and adaptation interwoven between individual, family, and community ecological levels. Methods Thirty‐one community‐based, critical ethnographic interviews were conducted following an Indigenous toolkit for ethical and culturally sensitive research. Results Identified themes included (a) responsibilities facilitating community care, (b) unity fostered family and cultural traditions, and (c) living in right relationship. The theme living in right relationship had four subthemes: (a) spirit, (b) self‐growth and sustaining, (c) setting priorities and sharpening parenting, and (d) sustaining connective communication. Conclusion Indigenous families utilized traditional coping factors to address challenges amid the COVID‐19 crisis, despite continued systemic oppression. Implications Indigenous traditional knowledge offers a vital model for healthy coping, and future interventions should promote self‐determination and sustainable, culturally relevant coping practices for Indigenous communities during crises like the COVID‐19 pandemic.