Reconciliation with Indigenous Women

“Beyond physical violence, Indigenous women and girls also experience violence in the form of racism, discrimination, and a lack of sovereignty over their children, self and nations, as well as through misrepresentations in literature, education, and research,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette, the Executive Director of the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA).

To begin the healing and reconciliation of the intergenerational trauma, oppression, and systemic racism the ONWA has released a detailed report called Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of MMIWG (2020),  which outlines the main areas of concern and 13 key recommendations based on the communities’ knowledge covering 28 systems including healthcare, child welfare, education, food/income security, homelessness/housing, employment, social services, media/social media, etc. This critical information must be integrated into the development of the National Action Plan if it is to be successful.

The recommendations aim to foster independence, resilience, and environments in which Indigenous women and girls are respected and not dehumanized. The report centers Indigenous women as leaders in solutions especially because their organizations bring critical knowledge, expertise, leadership, and community voice to the table. Currently, “grassroots Indigenous women’s organizations are severely underfunded even though they provide safe spaces where Indigenous women feel comfortable disclosing the violence they are experiencing,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette.