2. Women's Perspectives - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure ...
2. Women's Perspectives - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure ... 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 88
solving and decision making are holistic. Their vision of the future is one of inclusion, based on values of kindness, honesty, sharing and strength through mutual support. As Aboriginal peoples develop and implement self-government, the perspectives of Aboriginal women must guide them. We offer encouragement to the Aboriginal women who came forward to speak to us, and particularly to those who could not. We acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal women across the country; they have a critical role in providing leadership at the community and nation level. Aboriginal women are the guardians of the values, cultures and traditions of their peoples. They have a vital role in facilitating healing in families and communities. They are anxious to share their wisdom, kindness, honesty and strength with Aboriginal men so that together they can regain the self-confidence and self-esteem needed to rebuild nations governed by wise leaders dedicated to the welfare of their people and the cultural, spiritual and economic viability of their communities. Notes: * Tables of contents in the volumes themselves may be slightly different, as a result of final editing. * Transcripts of the Commission's hearings are cited with the speaker's name and affiliation, if any, and the location and date of the hearing. See A Note About Sources at the beginning of this volume for information about transcripts and other Commission publications. 1 Nongom Ikkwe of the South East Region, Manitoba, "Aboriginal Women's Perspective on Self-Government", brief submitted to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples [RCAP] (1993), p. 2. For information on briefs to RCAP, see A Note About Sources at the beginning of this volume. 2 Rowena General (Katsitsakwas), "A Case Study of the Traditional Roles of Women in Collective Decision Making in the Mohawk Community of Ahkwesa'hsne", research study prepared for RCAP (1993) [note omitted]. For information on research studies prepared for RCAP, see A Note About Sources at the beginning of this volume. 3 K. Knight, "Roles of Women in Decision Making (Kuujjuaq)", research study prepared for RCAP (1994). 4 This projection for 1996 is based on the extension of recent trends in birth, death and migration rates among Aboriginal groups before 1991. A full description can be found in Mary Jane Norris, Don Kerr and François Nault, "Projections of the Population with Aboriginal Identity in Canada, 1991-2016", research study prepared by Statistics Canada for RCAP (1995). 89
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solving and decision making are holistic. Their vision of the future is one of inclusion,<br />
based on values of kindness, honesty, sharing and strength through mutual support.<br />
As <strong>Aboriginal</strong> peoples develop and implement self-government, the perspectives of<br />
<strong>Aboriginal</strong> women must guide them. We offer encouragement to the <strong>Aboriginal</strong> women<br />
who came forward to speak to us, and particularly to those who could not. We<br />
acknowledge the contributions of <strong>Aboriginal</strong> women across the country; they have a<br />
critical role in providing leadership at the community and nation level. <strong>Aboriginal</strong><br />
women are the guardians of the values, cultures and traditions of their peoples. They have<br />
a vital role in facilitating healing in families and communities. They are anxious to share<br />
their wisdom, kindness, honesty and strength with <strong>Aboriginal</strong> men so that together they<br />
can regain the self-confidence and self-esteem needed to rebuild nations governed by<br />
wise leaders dedicated to the welfare of their people and the cultural, spiritual and<br />
economic viability of their communities.<br />
Notes:<br />
* Tables of contents in the volumes themselves may be slightly different, as a result of<br />
final editing.<br />
* Transcripts of the Commission's hearings are cited with the speaker's name and<br />
affiliation, if any, and the location and date of the hearing. See A Note About Sources at<br />
the beginning of this volume for information about transcripts and other Commission<br />
publications.<br />
1 Nongom Ikkwe of the South East Region, Manitoba, "<strong>Aboriginal</strong> <strong>Women's</strong> Perspective<br />
on Self-Government", brief submitted to the Royal Commission on <strong>Aboriginal</strong> Peoples<br />
[RCAP] (1993), p. <strong>2.</strong> For information on briefs to RCAP, see A Note About Sources at<br />
the beginning of this volume.<br />
2 Rowena General (Katsitsakwas), "A Case Study of the Traditional Roles of Women in<br />
Collective Decision Making in the Mohawk Community of Ahkwesa'hsne", research<br />
study prepared for RCAP (1993) [note omitted]. For information on research studies<br />
prepared for RCAP, see A Note About Sources at the beginning of this volume.<br />
3 K. Knight, "Roles of Women in Decision Making (Kuujjuaq)", research study prepared<br />
for RCAP (1994).<br />
4 This projection for 1996 is based on the extension of recent trends in birth, death and<br />
migration rates among <strong>Aboriginal</strong> groups before 1991. A full description can be found in<br />
Mary Jane Norris, Don Kerr and François Nault, "Projections of the Population with<br />
<strong>Aboriginal</strong> Identity in Canada, 1991-2016", research study prepared by Statistics Canada<br />
for RCAP (1995).<br />
89
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