ISSUE: Equality and Empowerment of Aboriginal Women
Background:
The effects of colonization, and its European view of women and their role in society, have distorted the balanced roles in Aboriginal communities. Since then, Aboriginal women’s rights have consistently been undermined by discriminatory legislation and inequitable policy. The effects of this are still felt today through the systematic and institutional lack of respect of equality rights as set forth by s. 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the overall lack of respect of basic human rights for Aboriginal women.
Fast Facts:
- The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and its affiliate Provincial and Territorial Organizations (PTO’s) are committed to promoting and protecting of the rights of Aboriginal women considering they are at particularly high risk.(1)
- The Indian Act creates distinctions between and among Aboriginal women limiting equal access to programs and services. This situation creates considerable inequities among and between Aboriginal women.(2)
- Nothing in the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) affects any provision of the Indian Act or any provision made under or pursuant to that Act, creating startling inequities between registered Indians and other Canadians.
- “First Nations women currently have no right in law to certain assets where their marriage breaks down, unlike all other women in Canada.”(3)
- “Violence, including sexual assault, whether inflicted by a spouse or a stranger, is one of the most fundamental transgressions of the human rights of Aboriginal women.”(4)
- Through lateral violence, Aboriginal organizations, communities and government structures systematically perpetuate inequities.
Recommendations:
A. That the Federal Government work in partnership with ALL National Aboriginal Organizations to address issues that promote equality and empowerment.
B.That the Federal Government take immediate steps to enact Bill C-44 in order to ensure basic human rights, and the CHRA applies to ALL Aboriginal Peoples.
C. That federal legislation related to Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) be enacted in order to ensure that the property rights of Aboriginal women are recognized, and meaningfully respected, upon marital breakdown.
D. That the Federal Government immediately repeal the Indian Act in order to achieve equality and empowerment of ALL Aboriginal people and promotes the concept of nationhood.
(1)“In the cities, Aboriginal women are at greater risk of violence and assault than all other Canadian women, arising from racist and sexist attitudes.” Michelle M. Mann for the Status of Women Canada, <http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/resources/consultations/ges09-2005/aboriginal_e.html>, Accessed June 11, 2007.
(2)Michelle M. Mann for the Status of Women Canada, <http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/resources/consultations/ges09-2005/aboriginal_e.html>, Accessed June 11, 2007.
(3)Ibid
(4)Ibid
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For further information, please contact:
Al Fleming
Director
Public Affairs
613-747-6022 (office)
613-867-8696 (mobile)
al@abo-peoples.org
