The Unyielding Fight: Indigenous Women’s Rights on Turtle Island
On Turtle Island, a name given by many Indigenous peoples to the North American continent, the struggle for Indigenous women’s rights is not merely a political debate but a visceral fight for survival, dignity, and the reclamation of ancestral power. For centuries, Indigenous women have been at the forefront of their communities, holding roles as matriarchs, healers, knowledge keepers, and leaders. Yet, the brutal forces of colonialism have systematically targeted and undermined their authority, leading to a crisis of violence, discrimination, and marginalization that continues to this day. This article delves into the profound challenges Indigenous women face across what is now known as Canada and the United States, exploring the historical roots of their dispossession, the devastating impact of ongoing systemic failures, and their unwavering resilience in the pursuit of justice and self-determination.
The Erosion of Matriarchy: A Colonial Legacy
Before the violent intrusion of European colonizers, many Indigenous societies on Turtle Island were structured around matriarchal or matrifocal principles. Women held significant spiritual, political, economic, and social power. Their roles in governance, land stewardship, resource management, and the raising of children were central to community well-being. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, for instance, saw Clan Mothers holding the power to select and depose male chiefs, embodying a sophisticated system of gender equity.
However, European colonization brought with it not only foreign diseases and devastating wars but also a patriarchal worldview that actively sought to dismantle Indigenous women’s authority. Colonizers, unable or unwilling to comprehend Indigenous women’s power, imposed their own gendered hierarchies. Legislation like the Indian Act in Canada and similar policies in the United States systematically dismantled Indigenous governance structures, replacing them with male-dominated band councils and tribal governments that mirrored colonial systems. Women who married non-Indigenous men were stripped of their Indian status, severing ties to their communities, land, and cultural identity, a clear tactic to diminish their numbers and power.
The residential school system, a genocidal project in both Canada and the U.S., further inflicted intergenerational trauma, separating children from their families and cultures, and attempting to strip them of their Indigenous identity. Indigenous girls in these institutions were often subjected to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, laying the groundwork for cycles of violence that persist today. This historical erosion of matriarchal power and the imposition of a foreign patriarchal system created the fertile ground for the crises Indigenous women now face.
The Epidemic of Violence: MMIWG2S+
The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ People (MMIWG2S+) stands as a stark, horrifying testament to this systemic violence. While statistics vary, the reality is unequivocal: Indigenous women are disproportionately subjected to violence, often at rates far exceeding their non-Indigenous counterparts.
In Canada, the National Inquiry into MMIWG, in its 2019 final report, unequivocally concluded that this violence constitutes a "genocide," a term that underscores the state’s complicity and inaction. The Inquiry found that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than any other women in Canada, and 16 times more likely to be killed or disappear than white women. The report presented 231 Calls for Justice, urging transformative legal and social changes.
Across the border in the United States, the situation is equally dire, though often less systematically documented. The Urban Indian Health Institute’s 2018 report, "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls," found that 71% of Indigenous people live in urban areas, yet only 1% of MMIWG cases in their study were reported to the federal database. This highlights a severe underreporting and lack of comprehensive data collection. "Indigenous women and girls are disappearing at alarming rates, yet their stories are often overlooked by media, ignored by law enforcement, and excluded from national data sets," notes the Sovereign Bodies Institute. Factors contributing to this violence include poverty, homelessness, racial discrimination, intergenerational trauma, the sex trade, and the transient "man camps" associated with resource extraction projects, which often bring increased crime and violence to nearby Indigenous communities.
The term "Two-Spirit+" acknowledges the historical and contemporary roles of individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits, or other diverse gender identities, within Indigenous cultures. These individuals are often at an even higher risk of violence due to intersecting forms of discrimination based on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The MMIWG2S+ crisis is not merely a collection of individual tragedies; it is a systemic failure rooted in colonialism, racism, and sexism that dehumanizes Indigenous women and allows their disappearance and murder to go unaddressed.
Systemic Discrimination and Barriers to Justice
Beyond the direct violence of MMIWG2S+, Indigenous women face pervasive systemic discrimination across virtually every sector of society. This discrimination creates a complex web of barriers to safety, well-being, and justice.
Justice System: Indigenous women are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, both as victims and as incarcerated individuals. They often face racial bias from law enforcement, leading to inadequate investigations of crimes against them and harsher sentencing for minor offenses. A study by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed that Indigenous women are jailed at a rate 6.5 times higher than white women in the United States. This disproportionate incarceration often stems from poverty, lack of access to legal resources, and trauma, rather than severe criminality. Once entangled in the system, they often face further discrimination, lack of culturally appropriate support, and difficulties accessing rehabilitation services.
Child Welfare: The overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child welfare systems is another devastating consequence of systemic discrimination. Indigenous families are disproportionately investigated and have their children removed, often under the guise of "neglect" that is inextricably linked to poverty and the legacy of residential schools. Indigenous women, as primary caregivers, bear the brunt of this separation, experiencing immense grief and further marginalization. In Canada, Indigenous children make up over 52% of children in foster care, despite representing only 7.7% of the child population. In the U.S., Indigenous children are four times more likely to be removed from their homes than white children. This echoes the forced removal of children during the residential school era, perpetuating intergenerational trauma.
Healthcare: Indigenous women face significant disparities in healthcare access and quality. They often encounter racism, cultural insensitivity, and a lack of culturally safe care within mainstream healthcare systems. This impacts everything from reproductive health services, where they may face coercion or lack of choice, to mental health support for trauma, and access to essential chronic disease management. Remote communities, where many Indigenous women reside, often lack adequate medical facilities, requiring arduous and costly travel for basic care.
Land, Environment, and Resource Extraction
As traditional stewards of the land, Indigenous women are often at the forefront of environmental protection and resource sovereignty movements. Their deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land means that environmental degradation directly impacts their well-being and that of their communities. However, they also bear a disproportionate burden of the negative impacts of industrial resource extraction.
The construction of pipelines, mining operations, and logging projects frequently leads to the establishment of "man camps" – temporary housing for transient, predominantly male workers. These camps have been consistently linked to increased rates of sexual assault, human trafficking, and violence against Indigenous women and girls in nearby communities. The disruption of traditional hunting, fishing, and plant-gathering areas also impacts Indigenous women, who often play a crucial role in securing food and medicine for their families, further undermining their economic and cultural well-being.
Indigenous women, like those at Standing Rock resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline or those fighting against the Trans Mountain Pipeline in Canada, stand as vital land and water defenders, embodying a sacred responsibility to protect Mother Earth for future generations. Their activism often comes at great personal risk, facing harassment, criminalization, and violence.
Resilience, Advocacy, and Reclamation
Despite the immense challenges, Indigenous women on Turtle Island are not merely victims; they are powerful architects of change, resilient leaders, and fierce defenders of their peoples, lands, and cultures. Their fight for rights is deeply intertwined with the broader struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
Grassroots movements led by Indigenous women are at the heart of advocacy efforts. Organizations like the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) in the U.S. are pivotal in raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and providing support services. The Red Dress Project, a powerful art installation, symbolizes the MMIWG2S+ crisis and calls for action. Online movements, legal challenges, and direct action campaigns continue to amplify their voices and demand accountability.
Indigenous women are also leading the charge in cultural revitalization and the reclamation of traditional governance. They are revitalizing Indigenous languages, traditional knowledge systems, ceremonies, and art forms, recognizing these as crucial components of healing and empowerment. The re-establishment of matriarchal leadership roles and traditional women’s councils is a critical step in decolonizing governance and ensuring that women’s voices are central to decision-making. As the late Ellen Gabriel, a Mohawk activist from Kanesatake, famously stated, "Our culture is our strength, and our women are the backbone of our culture."
Educational initiatives, mentorship programs, and the creation of safe spaces are also empowering younger generations of Indigenous women to embrace their heritage, pursue education, and become future leaders. They are building on the legacy of their ancestors, drawing strength from their traditions, and forging new paths forward.
Conclusion
The journey toward full recognition and realization of Indigenous women’s rights on Turtle Island is long and arduous, yet it is propelled by an unwavering spirit of resilience and a profound commitment to justice. The challenges they face – from the epidemic of MMIWG2S+ to systemic discrimination in justice, healthcare, and child welfare, compounded by the impacts of resource extraction – are deeply rooted in the historical and ongoing legacy of colonialism.
Addressing these injustices requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and institutional practices. It demands the implementation of the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG Inquiry, the enforcement of existing protections, and the creation of new policies that are Indigenous-led and culturally appropriate. It necessitates dismantling systemic racism and sexism, investing in community-based solutions, and supporting Indigenous self-determination. Listening to, amplifying, and resourcing Indigenous women’s voices and initiatives is not just an act of solidarity; it is essential for the healing and future of all, ensuring that the strength and wisdom of Indigenous women on Turtle Island can once again flourish, guiding their communities toward a future of peace, equity, and justice.
