Did you know that today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (or Indigenous Peoples Day)? The theme set by the UN for this year is Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement as a result of loss of their lands, territories and resources. Here at DEWC, 70% of women accessing our services are Indigenous women from across Turtle Island. They are Cree, Metis, Dene, Anishinaabe, Gitxsan, and from many other backgrounds and nations. These members of our community experience firsthand the traumas, hardship and grief of multiple layers of displacement. They also bring a richness of traditions, teachings, art, culture, and medicine into our shared space, giving life to community spirit and resilience.
Canada has recently announced it no longer opposes UNDRIP (The United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), but support of UNDRIP has yet to be implemented or legislated. DEWC joins with Battered Women’s Support Services to invite you to call or email your MP and express support for Bill C-262, which would require reviews of federal law to comply with UNDRIP standards. List of MPs here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members?currentOnly=true
Violence against Indigenous women remains pervasive, but women’s voices, songs, and stories continue to rise strong in this community. Here’s to the many matriarchs and warriors in our midst doing healing work. Still we rise.
