Appendix A: Research Questions

Research interviews for this report followed a semi-structured format, guided by the following themes and questions:

  1. Whether and how Indigenous families/communities are accessing the FJS
    1. What proportion of your Indigenous clients use the family justice system? Are there elements of the system they use most often? In what cases are your clients more or less likely to use the FJS?
    2. What challenges have your clients encountered as Indigenous persons accessing the FJS?
    3. Have you found specific ways to support your Indigenous families who are going through family breakdown and using the FJS to make the system more accessible to them?
  2. How are those who are not accessing the FJS resolving their family law issues?
    1. When your clients do not go through the FJS, how do they resolve matters around family breakdown (i.e., parenting time, child support, etc.)?
    2. What challenges have your clients encountered as Indigenous persons undergoing family breakdown and not accessing the FJS?
    3. What alternatives have your clients used in place of the mainstream FJS to deal with family breakdown including separation, parenting, spousal support, and child support arrangements?
    4. Have you found specific ways to support your Indigenous clients experiencing family breakdown outside of the FJS?
  3. In your experience, in what ways is a child’s Indigenous upbringing and heritage considered when determining what is in the best interests of the child when making parenting arrangements within or outside of the FJS?
    1. What challenges have you faced when these factors are considered under the best interests of the child?
    2. Have you found specific ways to support your Indigenous clients to consider the best interests of the child when making arrangements for children after family breakdown?
  4. Are there any other challenges that you have encountered with Indigenous clients who have experienced family breakdown that have not been covered in the previous questions?