In my web searches, I discovered a book called Living on the Land that explores the knowledge of Indigenous women that has been largely overlooked by patriarchy-informed Western research. I have not yet had the time to read the book, but have added it to my reading list for the future. The podcast below discusses Living on the Land and the stories within.
Tag Archives: Indigenous women
Jessica Presta: Module 3, Post 3
Joleen Mitton (Miskinahk) is a force to be reckoned with. She is Plains Cree and Dane-zaa, and grew up in East Vancouver with her mother, a survivor of the Sixties Scoop and the residential school system. In her interviews she discusses the generational trauma caused by the residential school system and how she used competitive sports as an outlet for processing and healing from this. She worked as a model in her younger years and highlights the lack of positive Indigenous representation within Canadian culture. Joleen identifies that what representation did exist only emphasized the pain of Indigenous people. She also discusses growing up in Vancouver and not seeing Indigenous people gather or take pride in themselves. She has become an advocate for vulnerable Indigenous groups and has founded organizations such as the Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. Joleen followed in her kokum’s footsteps in becoming a community support worker, assisting Indigenous youth in foster care, families coming out of high-risk situations and working with elders. Joleen has been working at the Pacific Association for First Nations Women for 14 years as a doula, community outreach worker, Youth programmer and office assistant. She also works for non-profits such as Mentor Me and Urban Butterflies.