Tea Cimin: Shaping the Path to Reconciliation

By Tea Cimini, third year Peace, Conflict and Justice student at the University of Toronto 

This is part of a student-led blog series aimed at elevating current issues facing women in Canada and abroad. This piece will focus on the mistreatment of Indigenous women and girls and how non-Indigenous people can get involved and contribute to the process of reconciliation. 

On October 14th, 2016 the governments of Mexico, the U.S and Canada launched the inaugural meeting of the North American Working Group on violence against Indigenous women and girls. In the Canadian context, staggering, high rates of violent crimes perpetrated against Indigenous women and girls generated a strong call for action from both civil society and communities. The formation of the Working Group represents a strong signal launched by the Canadian government regarding its commitment to the eradication of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Yet, the issue has deep roots, and working towards its complete eradication is going to necessitate support from all levels of society, from the Cabinet of the Prime Minister to the individual actions of citizens. The disadvantaged role of Indigenous people in Canadian society dates back to the colonialist roots on which the Canadian country is founded. Starting from the 15th century onward, European settlers systematically appropriated land and resources belonging to Indigenous people. The legitimization of these actions was assured through the generating of the ‘Civilized European’ vs. ‘Savage Indians’ discourse, whose repercussions reverberated for centuries. Moreover, a combination of colonialist history and prejudice towards Indigenous people led to one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history: the establishment of ‘Indian Residential Schools.[1]’ The Residential School System had the primary objective of assimilating Indigenous people into the mainstream Western Culture by isolating children from the influence of their family and community, and depriving them of their language and culture. While Residential schools were established all over Canada in the 1880s, it was not until the Indian Act of 1920 that attendance was made mandatory for all Indigenous children[2]. Oftentimes, children were forcefully separated from their families and transferred to remote locations. Living conditions in the residential schools were appalling. To begin with, the use of Native languages was prohibited and usage would result in punishment – even though many children were not proficient in any other language. Residential school curricula were not the same as those taught in general schools; instead, they focused on “practical skills,” such as sewing, cooking and cleaning for girls, and carpentry and farming for boys.[3] What is more, psychological and physical abuses were methods commonly used, a widely accepted measure to ensure discipline. Instances of rape and sexual violence were far from uncommon. Only recently, Canadian society has started to come to terms with its history of abuses towards Indigenous people by, for example, establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada. Violence against women and girls is a pervasive issue in many societies across the globe. Given the history of violence against Indigenous people, it is no surprise that violence against Indigenous women and girls is especially prevalent in Canada. Homicide rates for Indigenous women are almost seven times higher than for non-Indigenous women. Moreover, while Indigenous women constitute merely 4.5% of the Canadian population, they represent 16% of female victims of homicide and 11% of missing women.[4] These facts and statistics only scratch the surface of the issues and challenges faced by Indigenous women and girls. As stated earlier, we all need to be part of the reconciliation process if it is to be achieved. On that note, there are many ways in which non-Indigenous people can get involved to support Indigenous women and achieve a more equitable society. Here’s a few ideas! Learn More!As stated earlier, the issues presented in this blog post represent only some of the challenges and threats faced by Indigenous women. The first step towards eradicating the problem is understanding the issue, its origins and its implications. For those who are still in school, enrolling in an Indigenous studies course would be a great way to get familiarize one-self with the topic. This option, thanks to the wonders of the internet, is also available online through online courses, accessible by everyone at every time. No excuses! Docs for ThoughtsDocumentaries on Indigenous people are also a great way to learn more about the historical and modern struggles undergone by Indigenous communities all over Canada. Some options are: Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, and Rhymes for Young Ghouls, which, though bringing to the screen a fictional story, is set in the context of the Canadian Residential School System. Another great option to learn more about present-day issues is Highway of Tears, a documentary dealing with the missing and murdered Indigenous women on a highway in British Columbia. From Community Centres to CommunitiesThere are many centres and associations working towards the promotion of a safer environment for Indigenous people, and the fostering of Indigenous cultures and traditions. One example is the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, which offers opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to get involved in cultural events and volunteer experiences. Initiatives like this can be found all over Canada, and they are always looking for more volunteers! Additionally, there are many facilities that offer cultural awareness training to build a better understanding of Indigenous traditions and cultures. A great example is the Dodem—Kanonhsa’ Lounge in Toronto, which offers programs to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people wishing to engage with Indigenous cultures and philosophies. Support and Volunteer – The Dare to Dream ProgramLevel’s ‘Dare to Dream’ program brings together legal professionals and Indigenous youth to break down barriers between Indigenous communities and the Canadian justice system. The program is an informative and transformative experience for all participants. In fact, while Indigenous youth get to familiarize themselves with the legal system through interactive and experience-based learning opportunities, legal professionals have a chance to enhance their Indigenous cultural competency and sensitivity.   Endnotes[1] , Olive P. Dickason and David McNab, Canada’s First Nations: A History of Founding Peoples         from Earliest Times, 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.[2] Ibid.[3] Ibid.[4] David Suzuki, and Faisal Moola, "Confronting Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls," Toronto Star, October 4, 2016,             https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/10/04/confronting-violence-against-indigenous-women-and-girls.html. Other Sources"Canada Won't Deal With Women's Human Rights Crisis At Home." Newswire,         February 22,            2012. http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-          wont-deal-with-womens-human-            rights-crisis-at-home-509686681.html. Dickason, Olive P., and David McNab. Canada’s First Nations: A History of        Founding Peoples    from Earliest Times. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University       Press, 2009.Galloway, Gloria. "Inquiry into Violence against Native Women Rejected." The           Globe and Mail, March 8, 2014.             http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/study-into-violence-against-      indigenous-women-rejects-call-for-inquiry/article17368559/.Government of Canada. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.          "Harper Government Takes Tangible Action That Puts Key Information on    Violence Prevention at the Fingertips of Aboriginal Women and Girls." News release, June 18, 2015. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=988859.Government of Ontario. Office of the Premier. "Outcomes and Priorities for Action      to Prevent and Address Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls."    News release, February 26, 2016.          Https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/02/outcomes-and-priorities-for-action-to-     prevent-and-address-violence-against-indigenous-women-and-girl.html.Leblanc, Daniel. "Native Women Live in Peril: RCMP Report." The Globe and Mail,   May 17, 2014."Putting an End to the Violence." Toronto Star, February 29, 2016.         http://myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.myac     cess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/1768524274?accountid=14771.Suzuki, David, and Faisal Moola. "Confronting Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls." Toronto Star, October 4, 2016.             https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/10/04/confronting-    violence-against-indigenous-women-and-girls.html.