| Summary: | The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the experience of being
'White' in British Columbia. 'White' 'racial' identity development (WRID) theory proposes that
'White' people may develop a positive 'racial' identity that is non-racist. Research has linked
the multicultural counselling competencies of a counsellor to her positive 'racial' identity. The
American Counselling Association has made it ethically incumbent upon 'White' counsellors to
develop a positive, non-racist 'White' 'racial' identity. However, the relationship between
'racial' identity and psychological health is inconclusive and the use of 'race' as a construct in
the social sciences is controversial and confounding. WRID research has occurred exclusively
in the United States and has only been concerned with attitudes towards 'Blacks.' A qualitative
methodology, semi-structured interviews and content analysis were used to explore the nature
and existence of WRID in British Columbia. Participants who considered themselves to be
'White' and who have lived or worked in aboriginal communities were recruited. Two
computerized programs were used to help in the analysis of the content of the interviews.
Participants provided descriptions of "White" culture yet their 'White' 'racial' identities were
tenuous. No definitive support was found for the existence of WRID in British Columbia,
however support was 'found for parts of theories found in the "racial" identity literature. This
information may help counsellors and educators engaged in cross-cultural work.
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