Women’s Rights

Article 22 

22)  Indigenous women, children, elders and disabled people have special needs to live free from violence and discrimination.

Discussion

I wanted to highlight this article to show that even in a developed country like Canada, Indigenous women struggle to access their right to live free from violence. Indigenous women in North American face horrendous statistics compared to the general population. They are more likely to be the victims of violence compared to non-Indigenous women.

Canada alone has documented over 1000 missing or murdered Indigenous women in the past 30 years. This is shameful for one of the most developed countries in the world. It is the result of a broken social system. The rights of Indigenous women are a long way from being realized but at least the issue is now a hot topic in media and parliament thanks to tireless advocacy from grassroots Indigenous groups.

In this TED talk, Wisper Kish poetically calls people to action to acknowledge the violence that stems from colonial times and to be an agent of change.

The 1491’s, a comedy group, recite a beautiful poem called “To the Indigenous Woman”.

Christi Belcourt, a Metis artist has created a memorial to the missing women in form of unfinished moccasins (traditional shoes) entitled Walking With Our Sisters.

Reflection and Activities  

1) What services are available, in your community, to women and children who face violence at home? What is needed to improve the situation?

2) Are people comfortable to report domestic violence to the police? Why or why not?

3) How did the government and police force fail to protect rights of Indigenous women? (Government and police should protect rights not people. “Protecting people” usually leads to a restrictions on rights.)

4) Violence against women is an emotionally difficult topic. It can sometimes be better explored through artistic express as in the examples above. Using artistic expression, such as a poem or a painting, explain the struggle of an Indigenous women or child as she deals with a violent family situation.

5) Identify individuals or organizations who are helping to promote women’s rights. What work are they doing? How do they help to bring justice to the situation?