She:kon Everyone

Here is a link to Amnesty International web site on my comments regarding the total lack of respect given to Aboriginal women in the watered down version of the Status of Women's report on violence against Aboriginal women. A Parliamentary Committee traveled across Canada seeking witnesses on the situation of violence in Canadian society. The current report does not oblige Canada to do much and so I felt compelled to comment.

My apologies to my francophone friends as it is only in English

nia:wen
Ellen

Ellen Gabriel speaks out on Status of Women Committee Report

Amnesty International

Posted by: Lindsay Mossman
Re:  Report on Violence Against Women
Ellen Gabriel
December 12, 2011

As one of the witnesses who participated in the Canada wide Parliamentary committee investigating the issue of violence against Aboriginal women, I would like to express my deep disappointment and concern over the contents of the Parliamentary report on violence against Aboriginal women.

Once again the Government of Canada is defying a true democratic process and the rule of law by ignoring and deleting any references to witness testimonials and their vital recommendations.  This report only serves a Conservative agenda and contributes to this terrible problem by further deepening the institutionalized racism inherent in the Indian Act.  It deepens the roots of colonialism whose foundation is racial and gender discrimination.

The watering down of this report is another example of the existence of institutionalized racism that once again relegates Aboriginal women and children as disposable members of society.  It reduces the June 11, 2008 Prime Minister’s apology on Residential Schools as merely insincere, insignificant, hollow words.

Exacerbating the problem is the current practice by the Government of Canada to cut funding towards  Aboriginal peoples, their organizations and communities who have dissenting voices to the Conservative agenda, and is a anachronistic testament to a more sinister period in this country’s history as reflected in a quote by Duncan Campbell Scott, the first Minister of Indian Affairs who said:

“I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.” —Duncan Campbell Scott

During the colonization of the Americas, the goal of the colonizers was to “rid” themselves of the Indian problem by targeting the women of our nations through the Indian Act and Residential Schools.  Attacking our grandmothers, our mothers, our aunties who nourished us, taught us our language and customs, who raised us the best they could.  The lack of political will by the Government of Canada to adequately deal with the issue of violence against Aboriginal women threatens our very dignity, our human rights, our identity and perpetuates the racist scourge of colonialism.

Violence is evident everywhere one looks in today’s society.  It can only be dealt with by a concerted effort by all members of society participating in a democratic process that provides solutions.  By burying their heads in the sand, the Conservative Government of Canada is guilty of perpetuating the crime of violence against Aboriginal women, their children and their families.  Like so many other issues, we as Aboriginal peoples should not wait for the Conservatives or any government to lead the way for solutions to this problem.  We must start at home, in our communities and in the schools that teach all children and youth that violence in all its forms is unacceptable.

We must teach our children and youth that violence is not part of Aboriginal culture.  It is an effect of colonialism.  Then maybe we can begin to make progress in ending this vicious circle of violence, the legacy of colonialism.

Aboriginal women have been saying for years that violence against Aboriginal women is not only a problem for women.  It is a man’s problem, it is a family’s problem, it is a societal problem.  We need role models for the youth, especially young men to break this cycle.  We must work together and create our own solutions otherwise we will wait a long time for any progress to be made.  By remaining silent or leaving it in the hands of an unwilling government, we continue to be at the mercy of complacent political leaders who sit in Parliament deciding whether or not this issue is a burden to its tax payers and so whether or not it contributes to a healthy economy.

Studies have shown that  the success of economic development is dependent on the absence or presence of violence in communities.  It is a sad but true fact that the dignity, worth and respect for human rights always comes down to economics.  It’s time to change this attitude and teach that investing in human rights benefits all society and its concerns.  It’s time to take action and make our world safe for all our children.