2. Women's Perspectives - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure ...

the reserve or off the reserve….We are the very soil, the fertile soil, which makes, creates
and nurtures our future. We are the ones who can give our people a sense of security
through our homes and environment….We are the ones who can and must integrate
ourselves, our families and our communities. We are all part of each other and cannot be
separated, as has happened to a very large degree in the past. Our very existence, our very
role, dictates to us to change to a life of brightness, hope, security and love.
Gerri Many Fingers
Executive Director
Calgary Native Women's Shelter Society
Calgary, Alberta, 26 May 1993
In this chapter, we have examined the position and role of Aboriginal women under
existing social conditions and legal arrangements and in the future. Although today they
sometimes have to struggle to be heard, women once enjoyed a prominent and respected
place in many Aboriginal communities. Testimony at our hearings and in the research
studies prepared for us provides insight into the life stories of Aboriginal women and the
events that changed their situation. 108
The women's voices heard in this chapter have many commonalities, despite diverse
cultural backgrounds and geographic locations. They share an overriding concern for the
well-being of their children, families, communities and nations, a concern that
encompasses all the issues in our mandate, from education to justice, lands and resources
to governance, health to the environment. As their testimony reveals, Aboriginal women
have often been excluded — from their home communities, from decision making, and
from having a say in their future and their children's future. Their determination to
change this situation — to be included in these areas and more — is the powerful
message we received.
Whether their concerns related to the Indian Act, health and social services, family
violence, fairness and accountability in governance, or the well-being of the family,
Aboriginal women are demonstrating courage and resilience in acting to secure the kind
of future they want to see for the generations yet unborn. We heard them speak of the
need for governments and other Aboriginal people to acknowledge, recognize and respect
their contributions and to find meaningful ways to include all citizens in the task of
rebuilding Aboriginal nations.
As the givers of life, custodians of culture and language, and caretakers of children,
Aboriginal women want to work co-operatively with others, despite the obstacles that
often stand in the way. They want to repair relationships among Aboriginal people in
their communities so as to rebuild strong nations.
Aboriginal women have a particular genius for survival. They have endured many
changes. They have made and continue to make significant contributions to improving
the quality of life for Aboriginal people. They are speaking out on a range of issues and
demonstrating leadership by pursuing community-based initiatives to empower
themselves and, in turn, their families and communities. Their approaches to problem
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