Migration to Meaningful Engagement

A Self-Determination Conceptual Model for Motivators of Reconciliation Among First-Generation Immigrants

Abstract

Canada is widely revered for its diversity and multiculturalism. While the concept of reconciliation is not new to this country, first-generation immigrants often struggle to conceptualize and navigate the process as they encounter these complex narratives of history for the first time after arriving in Canada. Although there is an array of scholarly contributions on reconciliation in Canada, within this spectrum, the realms of first-generation immigrants’ engagement in reconciliation still need to be explored. To build an inclusive national dialogue around this process, it is vital to understand how these individuals perceive reconciliation.

Drawing on the self-determination theory, in this paper, we propose a conceptual model to understand first-generation immigrants’ involvement in reconciliation with Indigenous peoples of Canada. Informed by the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, we explore how satisfaction or frustration of these needs shapes first-generation immigrants’ engagement in reconciliation. While this conceptual framework lays the foundations for future research, it informs practitioners in settlement agencies for tailoring programs that engage first-generation immigrants in reconciliation, promoting inclusion and shared responsibility. It also offers insights for policymakers for developing culturally sensitive and psychologically supportive strategies that foster immigrants’ meaningful participation in reconciliation in Canada.