CRIAW – FemNorthNet Intersectional Feminist Research and Practice Women’s World July 5,

We are CRIAW/ICREF Canadian Institut Research canadien de Institute for the recherche sur les Advancement of femmes Women Celebrating 35 years of women-centered research 2

Intersectional Feminist Frameworks: IFFs 3

Understanding IFFs Way of thinking about power, about who is excluded and why, who has access to resources and why Many factors shape women’s lives, choices and socioeconomic status including colonization, globalization and accessibility. Women’s lives must be viewed holistically. 4

Diversity and Commonalities Women are not one group who think the same way, have the same experiences, or live the same life Understanding impacts and effects of diversity in women’s lives requires attention in all research process 5

Using Intersectionality – CRIAW as an organization Greater inclusion of francophone women on the CRIAW board ( ) Development of CRIAW’s vision statement ( ) Developing policies to reflect Intersectional Feminist Frameworks ( ) –Constitutional changes to ensure diversity of representation on board by region, equity group, language and skills 6

Using Intersectionality – CRIAW research and publications An Emerging Vision (2006) Using IFFs in Research (2007) Women’s experiences of social programs for people with low incomes (2007) Everyone Belongs: A toolkit for applying intersectionality (2009) FemNorthNet ( ) 7

Introducing FemNorthNet Participatory action research project on women and economic restructuring in northern Canada Funded by Community University Research Alliance program, SSHRC 8

About FemNorthNet National network of community organizations and researchers Exploring changes in northern communities, the impacts and what women can do to address their needs Using a gendered intersectional analysis LaLoche SK, Thompson MB and Happy Valley – Goose Bay NL 9

Intersectionality and FemNorthNet Women in the north Aboriginal women Women with disabilities Immigrant women Young women Women leaders 10

Strengths of FemNorthNet Team Women leaders in communities Aboriginal women who share indigenous cultures, practices and research methods Women with disabilities who contribute to understanding inclusive research methods and processes Co-leadership from community and university Commitment to collaborative and respectful processes 11

Challenges for FemNorthNet Still a work-in-progress with many gaps and exclusions Breaking new ground in so many ways Inclusive and respectful practices take time and trust, but still need to meet deadlines Critical reflection requires honesty and humility rather than shame and blame 12

Where to Next? Undertake community-based research that recognizes and honours diversity Create and share new models for critical reflection and action in response to intersectionality Share what we’ve learned in order to create capacity in communities, support women’s leadership, and change policies that shape women’s lives in the North 13