Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls, a Canadian Responsibility | Sophie Kiwala | TEDxQueensU

Summary

The speaker, an ally to indigenous communities, addresses the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada, highlighting the historical context of systemic racism, poverty, and violence that exacerbates their vulnerability. Sharing personal anecdotes and the impact of the Faceless Dolls project, the speaker calls for collective action towards reconciliation, emphasizing the need to understand and implement the 231 calls for justice to ensure safety and a hopeful future for indigenous women and girls.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding the plight of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada.
• 🌐 The speaker identifies as an ally, not an indigenous person, and stresses the need for allies to be informed and supportive of indigenous issues.
• 👶 The script paints a vivid picture of the life of an indigenous girl growing up in a challenging environment, surrounded by trauma, addiction, and violence.
• 🏠 It discusses the legacy of Canadian treatment of indigenous peoples, which has led to a lack of opportunities and services for indigenous communities, particularly in remote areas.
• 🔒 The speaker highlights how systemic and social issues, such as racism, sexism, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities, increase the vulnerability of indigenous women to violence.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker shares personal experiences and motivations, including a strong sense of justice and a rebellious streak inherited from her Polish and Scottish heritage.
• 🏛️ The script recounts the speaker's journey into politics, driven by a desire to improve people's lives and fight for justice, particularly for indigenous peoples.
• 🎭 The 'Faceless Dolls' project is mentioned as a powerful symbol representing the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, whose cases often remain unsolved.
• 📊 Shocking statistics are presented to illustrate the disproportionate levels of violence faced by indigenous women and girls compared to other demographics in Canada.
• 🤝 The speaker calls for collective action and solidarity, emphasizing that the responsibility to protect indigenous women lies with the entire society, not just individuals or organizations.
• 🌱 The script concludes with a call to action for reconciliation and the creation of a new legacy of hope, healing, and justice for indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's speech?

The speaker's primary focus is on the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada, the historical context that led to this situation, and the need for reconciliation and change.

What does the speaker describe as the 'legacy' they are referring to?

The 'legacy' referred to by the speaker is the historical and ongoing treatment of indigenous peoples in Canada, which includes broken family relationships, mental health issues, addiction, and violence, all of which contribute to the vulnerability of indigenous women and girls.

Why does the speaker mention being an ally and not an indigenous person at the beginning of the speech?

The speaker clarifies their position as an ally to acknowledge the importance of speaking from a place of support rather than claiming indigenous identity, showing respect for the indigenous community and the issues they face.

What is the 'Faceless Dolls' project mentioned in the script?

The 'Faceless Dolls' project is an initiative by the Native Women's Association of Canada that represents the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls through dolls without faces, symbolizing the unsolved cases and the lack of recognition they receive in society.

What personal motivation does the speaker have for being involved in this cause?

The speaker is motivated by their own sense of justice and fairness, instilled in them from a young age through family dynamics, and further fueled by their experiences working in a constituency office and witnessing the struggles of those who have fallen through societal cracks.

What is the significance of the 'Scream' artwork by Kent Monkman in the context of the speech?

The 'Scream' artwork by Kent Monkman is significant as it visually represents the pain, anguish, and despair inflicted on indigenous communities, particularly highlighting the government-sanctioned policies that aimed to assimilate indigenous children.

What is the speaker's background and how does it relate to their passion for this cause?

The speaker has a background with a Polish father and a Scottish mother, which they say instilled a rebellious streak and a strong sense of justice. Their passion for the cause is also fueled by their political career, starting as a member of provincial parliament and later serving as a parliamentary assistant to the minister of indigenous relations and reconciliation.

What are some of the statistics mentioned in the speech regarding indigenous women and girls in Canada?

The speech mentions that indigenous women and girls make up 16% of female homicides despite being only 4% of the national female population. They are seven times more likely to be affected by violence, 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing, 16 times more likely to be murdered than Caucasian women, and three times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-indigenous women.

What is the significance of the residential school cemetery the speaker visited?

The residential school cemetery is significant as it is a physical reminder of the tragic consequences of the residential school system, where indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families and subjected to abuse, with many never returning home.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker calls on the audience to become familiar with the 231 calls for justice from the 2019 federal report, to adopt one or more of these calls, and to prioritize the safety of indigenous women and girls. They emphasize the need for a generational commitment to reconciliation and understanding historical wrongs to build a more just and loving country.