Aboriginal Women in Northwestern Ontario Stories of Resiliency & Resistance Presented by Jolene Heida (nee Stowell)

Agenda Topic introduction Anti-colonial and feminist research methods Study Findings PRP Process & Personal Journey Questions

“ ” while we must not in any way diminish or disregard the suffering and hardships faced by Aboriginal girls and women through the years, we must not allow stories of violence and exploitation to eclipse the equally powerful stories of survival and determination that are also told Downe, 2005, pg 3.

Theoretical Frameworks Anti-colonial Feminist inquiry

Methodology: Digging up Story Medicine The research process included: 1. A literature review of publications, including peer – reviewed journals, research, government and NGO publications and reports with a focus on Ontario or Canada more broadly 2. Semi-structured interviews (n=2) with Aboriginal women who are or were previously street involved and have experience gendered racist violence Consistent with anti-colonial research process was the building of relationships between researcher & participant through multiple sessions 3. Themantic analysis of transcriptions: Violence & Racism and Resiliency & Resistance.

Pervasive Presence of History Lived Experiences Violence in the Home Violence in Community Experiences of Racism Sexualized Violence Systemic Factors Subjugation to reserve location Residential School System Poverty Oppression & racism Gendered experiences of policy: construction of Aboriginal women

Resiliency & Modes of Resistance Interconnectedness: Self – Family – Nature – Community – Spirit Self as part of larger circle Family as multigenerational Connections to community & spirituality through traditions and work Storytelling Political Activism

The Path Forward Honouring Indigenous knowledge and lived experience as valid form of knowledge Aboriginal social workers can place colonial teaching as secondary to Indigenous knowledge (Baikie, 2009). Acting as ally to Aboriginal women – demand change lead by Aboriginal leaders Research as resistance Individual healing of women linked to systemic changes for Aboriginal communities