What is it about?
Throughout history, Indigenous women have held important roles within their families and communities. But this was almost destroyed by colonization which brought racism and sexism to these communities. Today many, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have internalized these patriarchal beliefs which leads to the devaluation of women and is at the root of violence towards them. This article argues that it is possible that some of these beliefs have seeped into what is often referred to as "women's roles" within communities that exclude women from participation in community governance and spiritual ceremonies leading to their vulnerability.
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Why is it important?
There is little literature that focuses on how patriarchal contemporary beliefs and practices about women may have been infiltrated into Indigenous communities. This article is important because it builds on this information, including interviews with Indigenous Elders and other community members. It provides an understanding of violence against women in Indigenous communities and within larger society as a result of sexist and racist beliefs. It concludes that it is Indigenous women themselves who need to be the leaders in how to end the violence towards them.
Perspectives
As an Indigenous survivor of violence, a social work practitioner in anti-violence work and a researcher and educator in this area, I personally hope that articles such as this one can lead to more understanding of the underlying issues that are at the core of such violence.
Cyndy Baskin
Ryerson University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Contemporary Indigenous Women’s Roles: Traditional Teachings or Internalized Colonialism?, Violence Against Women, December 2019, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1077801219888024.
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