Contemporary Indigenous Women’s Roles: Traditional Teachings or Internalized Colonialism?

Abstract

Prior to the colonization of Turtle Island, Indigenous women held leadership roles within their communities. Colonization brought patriarchy and racism which attacked women’s identities. Violence toward Indigenous women and girls continues to be a tool of the colonial state while many Indigenous peoples have internalized patriarchal beliefs which manifests in the way they view women’s identities. This article argues that patriarchy may have infiltrated so-called “traditional teachings” that dictate rules about women’s participation in spiritual and cultural practices. It highlights the voices of Indigenous women who discuss this exclusion and how they are taking back their power.