American Indian Women Combating COVID-19: The Household Disruptor

This chapter investigates how American Indian women living in urban areas have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many American Indian women are heads of households and serve as primary caretakers to their children, and perhaps other family members and/or relatives. As heads of households, American Indian women not only provide financial support but provide emotional support, discipline, protection, and are central to home life. The focus of this study examines how American Indian women as heads of households dealt with the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and contended with the social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at home with their families and at work. Moreover, how did urban American Indian women navigate through the pandemic and how does COVID-19 continue to impact their lives?