Palys (2003) presented the relationship between qualitative research and phenomenology as central to capturing peoples’ lived experiences. Phenomenologism was defined by Palys as “an approach to understanding whose adherents assert that we must ‘get inside peoples heads’ to understand how they perceive and interpret the world”
(p. 433).
Six ECs participated in the research. Three ECs work for the Government of Manitoba in the rural and northern jurisdictions of Employment and Training Services Branches in Selkirk, Thompson, and The Pas. The other three research participants included one who works for Fisher River Cree Nation and two from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. All participants live and work in rural or remote regions in Manitoba. The other participants in this research process were the individuals who comprised the Project Leadership Committee. This committee guided the project from beginning to end and included: my project sponsor, my project supervisor, and representatives from the research participants’ employers. When project approval was granted, the Project Leadership Committee connected electronically to discuss roles and expectations for the project. This group approved the research instruments and periodically discussed the ongoing activities of the project, including the research results. In addition, the project supervisor and project sponsor provided other supports, such as reading, providing comments, approval of documentation, and learner assessments at key milestones during the research.