Violence Against Indigenous Women= Loss of Indigenous Traditional Views

Violence against Indigenous women is an extremely big issue in Canada, and to say they're being targeted is an understatement. When comparing traditional views and modern day statistics we see that Indigenous principles are holding on by a thread.

Of only the police documented cases, around 600 Indigenous women have gone missing or have been found killed across Canada, in the past 30 years (Jacob,2011). Eight of every ten Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime, and 75% of Indigenous women under the age of 18 have been sexually abused (Jacob, 2011). In 2004, many of these women affirmed violent occurrences at a level three times higher than for non-Indigenous women or men (Ward and Belanger, 2006, pg. 333). As a result of these statistics, Indigenous women are 5 times more likely to die in relation to violence than non-Indigenous women (Amnesty International, 2011).

Looking at the Indigenous ideological paradigm, ethics of Indigenous peoples are based on spirituality, social relation with the earth, equality/dignity among the people and emphasis on establishing harmony, balance, and community (Morrissette, 2011, pg. 14). In my opinion, although many other cultures and religious groups preach equality, it is rarely seen to the extent it is in traditional Indigenous culture. In the Indigenous world view, women assumed important roles and responsibilities in their community and for their creator (NWA of Canada, 2007). They held positions of authority, practiced forms of governing in social and economic aspects, and had significant control over land. Women were highly respected, valued, and viewed as sacred human beings (NWA of Canada, 2007).

So why is it that Indigenous women are no longer respected or valued in the same way they were once before? It may make sense to say that over time cultures let go of traditions, but to the contrary, would it make sense for Indigenous women to be losing respect and equality in a nation that is giving women more and more equal rights?

I believe that this is due to the history of colonialism and Eurocentric views that were brought upon Indigenous people in the early ages. Non-Indigenous settlers brought a ``patriarchal lens`` and saw Indigenous traditional ways as improper and unnatural (Hanson, 2010). With this came the belief that women were to be up to Eurocentric moral standard, and that Indigenous women would always sacrifice traditional ways for that of the foreigners. If they were not up to precise requirement, then they were seen as not worthy of respect (Hanson, 2010). Dominant European traditions suppressed those of the Indigenous peoples, including the views of women. Women eventually fell under the traditional Eurocentric view and lost their value as well as their sanctified roles only for the purpose of serving men above and beyond everything else. In my opinion, Indigenous views have been forced to be pushed aside by policies in the past and the way they are governed in the present. Policies such as adjournment of Indigenous women who married outside their communities and the removal of their children to be placed in residential schools for education, could have also added to the hardship to these women (StolenSisters, 2008). With many Indigenous women living on reserves or in remote areas, it is difficult to deal with past issues and violent altercations that arise (McKay, 2008).

In conclusion, there are now organizations in place to carry out advocacy work, conduct research and help raise awareness like the Native Women’s Associations of Canada’s “Sisters in Spirit” initiative and also the Amnesty International's "Stolen Sisters" movement. Although this is a step in the right direction, there are still deep wounds to mend and traditions to be restored; traditions that were brutally trampled, and ultimately resulted in hardships such as violence against Indigenous women.


Jenn S


References:

Amnesty International. (2011, August 2). Stolen Sister: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous women in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.ca/campaigns/sisters_overview.php

Anonymous. (2008) Stolen Sisters: A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada. Canadian Women's Studies, 26, 105-122. Retrieved from ProQuest LLC Database

Hanson, E. (2010). University of British Columbia; Marginalization of Aboriginal Women: A Brief History of the Marginalization of Aboriginal Women in Canada. Retrieved from http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/community-politics/marginalization-of-aboriginal-women.html

Mckay, M Celeste. (2008). International Human Rights Standards and Instruments Relevant to Indigenous Women. Canadian Women's Studies, 26, 147-155. Retrieved from ProQuest LLC Database

Morrissette, V. (n.d.). Introduction to Social Welfare Policy Analysis Fall 2011; Indigenous Perspectives Slide. Retrieved November 9, 2011, from https://angel.cc.umanitoba.ca/section/default.asp?id=10333201190

Native Women's Association of Canada. (2007, June 20-22). Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls. Retrieved from http://www.laa.gov.nl.ca/laa/naws/pdf/nwac-vaaw.pdf

University of British Columbia. (2011, April 6). Investigating Violence Against Aboriginal Women. Retrieved from http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/04/06/investigating-violence-against-aboriginal-women

Ward, M., Belanger, M. (2006). The Family Dynamic: A Canadian Perspective. Toronto, Ontario: Nelson Education Ltd.

Image: Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2011001/article/11439-eng.htm