The Role Of Men In Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women
Content warning: discussions of violence and sexual violence.
These are the dates you need to know.
May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month across Canada.
It’s a time to educate everyone on the devastating impacts of sexual violence on survivors and their communities and a chance to recommit to supporting their healing.
Why?
Approximately 4.7 million women – or 30% of all women aged 15 and older – have been sexually assaulted outside of an intimate relationship at least once since age 15 (Canadian Women’s Foundation). According to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, one in two girls and one in four boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18 (SACE).
Alarmingly, sexual assault is one of the only violent crimes in Canada that is not declining (Canadian Women’s Foundation).
May 5th is Red Dress Day.
Also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People — is a day for all people across Turtle Island to grieve and remember those we've lost, and to recommit to ending racist, colonial, and gender-based violence. It was first commemorated in 2010.
Why?
Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women in Canada, and 16 times more likely than Caucasian women. Indigenous women are also sexually assaulted three times more often than non-Indigenous women in Canada.
May 11th is Moosehide Campaign Day.
The Moosehide campaign is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys in standing up against violence toward Indigenous women and children.
Why?
Awareness of the magnitude of this issue is not enough. The Moosehide Campaign’s focus is on preventing violence by engaging those who are often in the best positions to prevent or intervene: men.
One of the best reframes (among many) Jackson Katz has given us is the idea that it’s not ‘violence against women’ – as if some disembodied entity was harming them – it’s men’s violence against women.
As such, men have a powerful role to play. As fathers, brothers, sons, friends, colleagues, and partners – we occupy many roles of power and influence as coaches, managers, teachers, and bystanders. There’s always something in our power to stop violence before it starts.
This is how men can show up.
While the roots of this crisis run deep, there are many actions we can take to play a part in healing & justice and to support Indigenous leadership on this issue.
Learn
The ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities have made Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and violence. Deepening our understanding of the effects of colonial policies, structural/systemic racism, and patriarchy can better prepare us to dismantle these systems.
Here are three things you can do today:Read the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Learn about the problem, and also about solutions.
Check out If I Go Missing. The book is based on a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by 14-year-old Brianna Jonnie — a letter that went viral and was also the basis of a documentary film.
Moosehide Campaign Day is on May 11, 2023, but people can get involved with the campaign year-round. You can bring campaign materials to your workplace, and work with the team at Moosehide to deliver workshops, training, and more.
Advocate
The final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls contains 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians.Ask your elected officials what they are doing to address this crisis.
How can your workplace implement the recommendations from the Calls for Justice at your workplace? What about your child’s school? Your religious organization?
Ask yourself how you can sustain your effort in this movement. Can you join the existing efforts of Indigenous leaders and organizations? Can you apply your existing talents to this work? Can you integrate this work with other work that you’re already doing?
Donate & Volunteer
Support the resilience & brilliance of Indigenous women & gender-diverse people by supporting ongoing campaigns like:She Is Indigenous — this campaign aims to end violence with respect, highlighting the contributions Indigenous women make to their communities and broader society, as leaders, artists, Elders, activists, teachers, healers, and other professionals.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada created a petition to have an Indigenous woman on the new 20$ bill — add your name!
As well, there are many amazing Indigenous-led nonprofits working to address the ongoing effects of colonialism. Consider how you might be able to contribute to their ongoing efforts by donating or volunteering.
It is part recognition of the historical and ongoing oppression and violence that Indigenous women face by listening to and learning from them, and part actively working towards creating a culture of respect and equality by challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, and supporting initiatives that aim to address and prevent violence.
Remember, it may not be our fault, but in taking responsibility we play a vital role in ending violence against Indigenous women and creating a safer and more just society for all.