Indigenous Women Leaders

                                                                Mary Simon

The United Church has encouraged its congregations and members to be aware of the oft-times grim realities for Indigenous women across this land, both past and present.In response to the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls our moderator, Richard Bott and Indigenous Ministries leadership urged non-Indigenous members to read and study the report 

Recently we have been aware of Indigenous women in a different light, that of ground-breaking leadership. First was the announcement that Mary Simon would be the new Governor General ofCanada. Some of us question the very existence of this role, yet Simon, who is Inuk, would appear to be an exceptional choice who will fulfill her responsibilities with grace and wisdom. There is a fascinating video of an exchange between Simon and Pierre Trudeau from 1984 which demonstrates that she is articulate and fearless.  

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/mary-simon-trudeau-video-1.6093178

                                                                     RoseAnne Archibald 

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Yesterday  former Ontario regional chief RoseAnne Archibald was voted in as the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). This position is not without controversy amongst Indigenous people but she will be the first woman in this significant role. 

I hope that both of these developments will prove to be positive and a step toward recognizing the strengths of Indigenous women. 

At the same time we need to be aware that two Indigenous Members of Parliament have announced that they will not be running in the next federal election.  Current independent MP and Liberal cabinet minister, Jody Wilson Raybould, will be leaving the federal scene citing the increasingly toxic and partisan tone of politics. 

Three weeks ago the NDP's Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, Nunavut's only MP, announced her impending departure and spoke honestly about her sense of isolation and the times when she felt racially profiled within the halls of the House of Commons. Qaqqaq has been pushing the federal government to meet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action but it is a lonely endeavour. 

Both these departures will be losses in representation and calling the country to accountability. 

So, with the steps forward there have also been unsettling steps back. Let's pray for meaningful change for "all my relations" in the days ahead with a willingness to listen and act. 

                                                     

                                                                Mumilaaq Qaqqaq