If Native women are constructed as “easy squaws” and are locked into this
imagery through the behavior of individuals, they will continue to be
rendered worthless in public institutions such as courtrooms or hospitals.
If we treat Native women as easy or drunken squaws in the court system,
we feed negative stereotypes that will further enable individuals to abuse
Native females, and so on. Native female images are part of a viscous
cycle that deeply influences the lives of contemporary Native women.
We need to get rid of the images, the systems that support them and the
abusive practices carried out by individuals (112).10
Colonialism must be understood as the foundation which results in many of the forms of
discrimination and disadvantage Aboriginal people (including women) face today.
It is the fact of colonialism that Correctional Services Canada has historically
failed to take meaningfully into account including the degree to which colonialism is also
gendered.11 One of the clearest examples is that of programming and cultural services.
For example, if the tribal identities of women are not taken into account, then Elder
services may not reflect accurately the needs of the women. Blackfoot teaching delivered
to women housed in Cree territory may not be an appropriate choice.12 As noted
previously, CSC does not keep tribal specific statistics. This is indicative of their
thinking on “Aboriginal issues”.13 At a minimum, providing relevant programming
options is limited because of this missing information.
10. |
See also Volume II of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba where the murder of Helen Betty
Osbourne is carefully examined. The Commissioners’ conclude that racism was a key factor in her death. |
11. |
Advocating a gendered approach to colonialism is not without controversy. This is because such an
approach appears to contradict the teachings of Aboriginal nations. As was explained to the Task Force on
Federally Sentenced Women:
Our dissatisfaction
with the mandate also extends to the artificial (but perhaps
necessary) distinction between men and women. As previously
discussed in this chapter, Aboriginal culture teaches connection
and not separation. Our nations do not separated men from women,
although we recognize that each has its own unique roles and
responsibilities. The teachings of creation require that
only together will the two sexes provide a complete philosophical
and spiritual balance. We are nations and that requires the
equality of the sexes (22. Emphasis added).
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12. |
There are Aboriginal laws (specific to the different nations that reside in the territories now called
Canada), that govern the conduct of guests in other’s territories. Historically, CSC has not considered these
requirements in providing Elder services to prisoners. Some of the difficulties with the provision of
services over the years can be traced to this lack of knowledge (and the lack of respect for Indigenous
ways). |
13. |
This is in fact the name of the Aboriginal sector at National Headquarters. To construct the realities of
Aboriginal people into a box titled “issues” inappropriately problematizes Aboriginal Peoples. This
problematization should be seen as a form of perpetuating discrimination as it results in a form of victim
blaming. |
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