Close X
Saturday, December 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Inquiry Must Address Spectrum Of Violence Against Indigenous Women: Activist

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2016 11:14 AM
  • Inquiry Must Address Spectrum Of Violence Against Indigenous Women: Activist
OTTAWA — An Ojibway activist is calling on the federal government to include domestic abuse in a forthcoming inquiry exploring the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
 
Joan Jack, a retired lawyer who ran to lead the Assembly of First Nations in 2012, says the inquiry should include the entire spectrum of vulnerabilities faced by aboriginal women both on- and off-reserve.
 
"At one end you have domestic violence and at the other end you've got the serial killer," Jack said in an interview.
 
Some women in indigenous communities are reluctant to come forward to talk about the abuse, which is a product of colonialism and the legacy of residential schools, said Jack, who is from Berens River First Nation in Manitoba.
 
"I think the only way women would talk is if their comments were kept anonymous," she said. "They're scared because when you're being beaten up, it is scary."
 
Perpetrators may be related to people in power in tight-knit communities, she added.
 
"If you decide to talk ... it just doesn't affect your personal safety," Jack said. "It affects your ability to benefit from the limited resources that we have."
 
Jack also said she would like to see aboriginal leaders focus more on teaching indigenous men about sexism, in addition to giving them the opportunity to build self-esteem.
 
The high levels of violence in many communities has been on the radar of the Native Women's Association of Canada for decades, said president Dawn Lavell-Harvard.
 
 
"We don't have the same supports as other communities and then the increased vulnerability when our women go to urban and rural settings and level the communities and things are even worse," Lavell-Harvard said.
 
The inquiry will need to examine the complete picture in order to be effective, she added.
 
On Tuesday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett emphasized that the inquiry would need to examine the root causes of the violence, going beyond a mere tally of missing and murdered women.
 
The issue of domestic violence is still "almost routinely linked" to the effects of residential schools, as well as the effects of child abuse and the child welfare system, she noted.
 
"Unfortunately in some families, you will end up with the perpetrator and the victim," Bennett said.
 
"Even though the statistics will show that indigenous women are slightly less likely to be killed by an intimate partner or former partner, all of these issues have to be dealt with.
 
"The bottom line that I heard the most often was, 'Hurt people with hurt people.'"
 
Lavell-Harvard said the government should take immediate action to provide more shelter spaces for indigenous women in crisis. 
 
"That needs to be addressed right away," she said.
 
 
Bennett said the government is aware of a need for more safe houses and additional shelter space both for indigenous communities and in the urban centres.

MORE National ARTICLES

Drake To Receive Key To The City From Toronto Mayor John Tory On Friday

Drake To Receive Key To The City From Toronto Mayor John Tory On Friday
Toronto Mayor John Tory says his plans to give hometown rap star Drake, a.k.a. Drizzy, the key to the city on Friday is just the start of a long working relationship between the two.

Drake To Receive Key To The City From Toronto Mayor John Tory On Friday

Renald Cote, Quebecer In Notorious Incest Case Signs Peace Bond After Arrest This Week

Renald Cote, Quebecer In Notorious Incest Case Signs Peace Bond After Arrest This Week
Renald Cote was detained briefly Thursday and released after signing a peace bond, Magog police said Friday

Renald Cote, Quebecer In Notorious Incest Case Signs Peace Bond After Arrest This Week

Bail Granted To Calgary Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing New Neighbour

Bail Granted To Calgary Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing New Neighbour
Nicholas Rasberry, 32, was sentenced to seven years minus time served for the May 2013 death of school teacher Craig Kelloway.

Bail Granted To Calgary Man Convicted Of Fatally Stabbing New Neighbour

Manitoba Government Ad Has Erroneous Job Number In Lead-Up To Election

A pre-election Manitoba government advertising campaign touting the province's environmental job numbers is erroneous, it turns out — an apparent victim of a mathematical error.

Manitoba Government Ad Has Erroneous Job Number In Lead-Up To Election

Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook

Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook
Justin Trudeau is talking up the need for more federal spending to help the economy on a day experts are sharing their downgraded forecasts with his government.

Justin Trudeau Promotes Spending To Help Economy As Experts Warn Of Weak Outlook

More Private-Sector To Help Find Housing For Syrian Refugees In Calgary

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says a new infusion of private-sector funds should help address one aspect of the city's Syrian refugee response that's been more challenging than expected.

More Private-Sector To Help Find Housing For Syrian Refugees In Calgary