Aboriginal women face systemic patterns of violence
ADRIAN TURCATO
Published on March 12, 2011
McGill Daily
Last Thursday the Aboriginal Law Association of McGill hosted the panel discussion, Stolen Sisters, addressing issues of violence and discrimination that Aboriginal women continue to face within Canadian society.
The discussion was a part of the event: “13 Days to Honour Aboriginal Women,” which aims to celebrate Aboriginal women, as well as raise awareness about missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Official statistics estimate that since the 1980s, approximately 520 Aboriginal women have been murdered or gone missing.
Walk4Justice, a women’s grass roots activist organization founded by Gladys Ridek and Bernie Williams Poitras, estimate that the actual number is almost 4,000.
Both Ridek and Poitras spoke candidly at the panel discussion about the prejudice that Aboriginal women face.
“You are a ****ing squaw. What have you done for our community? What have you contributed to Canada?” said Poitras, with reference to personal experiences.
“This is how Indian women are treated,” she stated.