Gendered Violence in Indigenous communities within Canada: Difference between revisions

The patriarchal and colonial norms have been ingrained in Indigenous communities, and it has been argued that gendered violence in Indigenous communities cannot be considered only as a result of the colonization of Indigenous peoples. Suppose gendered violence is recognized only as a consequence of the history of colonization of Indigenous peoples. In that case, analyses will overlook Indigenous women as victims of violence in their own right within their communities.

Primarily, women, girls, and gender-diverse people are at high risk of violence. More than 40% of  women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Violence against Indigenous women is commonly occurring in disproportionate numbers. Violence against women is also common in Indigenous communities, although community members are often reluctant to discuss it publicly or raise it as a problem.^[1] Similarities in responses to gendered violence are mainly primary when considering how the socioeconomic standing of Indigenous women does not seem to impact the way with which gendered violence is dealt with. Historical colonization because so many survivors and people touched by violence use this context to make meaning of their experiences. The Indian Act of 1876 is a source from which we can pick up points on cultural rights and violations. Violence against Indigenous women is commonly occurring in disproportionate numbers.^[2]

The 1991 Manitoba Justice Inquiry asserts that most chiefs and council members are male and often exhibit bias in favour of the male partner in a domestic abuse situation. This can effectively chase the woman from her home and community. The unwillingness of chiefs and councils to address the plight of women and children suffering abuse at the hands of husbands and fathers is quite alarming. We are concerned enough about it to state that we believe that the failure of Indigenous government leaders to deal at all with the problem of domestic abuse is unconscionable.

The internalization of colonial norms is another reason for the violence against Indigenous women. Another reason is the fear of further stigmatization of Indigenous peoples since making the issue a public concern and focus may affirm negative stereotypes and prejudice. The reasons for the silencing and dismissal of gendered violence range from the internalization of colonial norms to the fear of further stigmatization of Indigenous peoples.^[3]

Part of the problem of internalizing norms is that they have, in many cases, been ingrained as Indigenous traditions and are used against female victims of violence in the name of culture through victim-blaming, shaming, and demands of cultural authenticity. It is the type of abuse that women, girls, and Two-Spirit trans and non-binary people are at the highest risk of experiencing.

More than 40% of  women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. The fear of further stigmatization is common and not always unsubstantiated in Indigenous communities. Making the issue of gendered violence a public concern or focus of action might confirm already existing stereotypes and prejudice. Violence against Indigenous women is commonly occurring in disproportionate numbers. Intersecting forms of racism and sexism combined with economic dependence make Indigenous women vulnerable to these various forms of violence in society. Violence against women is also common in Indigenous communities, although community members are often reluctant to discuss it publicly or raise it as a problem.^[4]

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