In Australia, the ongoing structure of settler colonialism has meant
understandings of Indigeneity continue to uphold deficit narratives
about the lives of Indigenous peoples. The narrative that
predominates for Indigenous fathers is often the labels of
dysfunctionality, deviance, and disengagement from their
children. Using the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children
data, this article seeks to challenge these deficit narratives to
shed light not only on the strengths Indigenous fathers report of
their experiences of fatherhood, but also on how fatherhood
could be reconceptualised under an Indigenous epistemology.
We followed recent efforts and used a strengths-based approach
in Indigenous fathering research to counter deficit narratives of
Indigenous fatherhood and explore how an Indigenous
standpoint can inform approaches to social, cultural, and health
and wellbeing practices. We applied a content analysis to
answers generated by the question “What is the best thing about
being your child’s father?” The range of responses suggested a
most positive and child-centred experience of fatherhood where
Indigenous fathers report the sharing of love and culture with
their children as direct contributions to children growing up strong.