A survey investigating variations in acculturation of indigenous women

Abstract

This research focuses on the acculturation of indigenous women located in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The process of acculturation is conceptualized in terms of individual modernity as defined by Inkeles as well as in terms of educational, political, and consumer acculturation. Research indicates that acculturation is dependent upon several factors such as level of education, English languge facility, length of residence, occupational involvement, contact with school children, and native cultural identity. The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between the independent variables, and each of the four types of acculturation. A set-wise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the degree to which each of the independent variables accounted for variations in each of the four types of acculturation. Findings indicated that the six independent variables have a differing impact on the four measures of acculturation. English language proficiency and positive ethnic identities accounted for most of the variance in modernity, educational and political acculturation. But employment and degree of school contact emerged as the better predictors of consumer acculturation.