The Harmful Impact of White Innocence: Understanding Your Role in Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples
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- Written by Andrea Menard Andrea Menard
- Created: 28 February 2023 28 February 2023
It is widely believed that success in society is a result of individual effort and not systemic privilege. This belief also extends to our understanding of race and racism, where many white individuals may remain unaware of their role in perpetuating systemic injustices against Indigenous Peoples.
Decolonizing Your Emotions: A Call to Action
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- Written by Andrea Menard Andrea Menard
- Created: 28 February 2023 28 February 2023
Indigenous women have been subjected to centuries of colonial violence, oppression, and dispossession. The impact of these experiences cannot be overstated, and has had a profound effect on the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of Indigenous women. In order to advance the struggle for decolonization, it is crucial to recognize and embrace the full range of emotional responses that result from these experiences.
Annual Memorial March for MMIWG2S: Here are Five Things you can do as a lawyer
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- Written by Andrea Menard Andrea Menard
- Created: 14 February 2023 14 February 2023
Feb. 14 is the annual Memorial March for the MMIWG2S across Turtle Island. This is a reminder to lawyers that the final report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S includes 231 Calls for Justice, which outline the steps needed to address the crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. To effectively address this crisis, it is essential to take a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that involves listening to the needs and perspectives of Indigenous women, girls and 2 Spirit communities, clients, and listening to your female Indigenous lawyer colleagues while we all work together to address the root causes of violence, barriers, and access to justice issues. This blog will explore the MMIWG2S National Action Plan, the UNDRIP Act, and actions lawyers can take in addressing the Calls for Justice related to the MMIWG2S.
One of the most critical Calls for Justice related to the MMIWG2S is the development of a National Action Plan to Address Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. This coordinated National Action Plan involves federal, provincial, and territorial governments working together with Indigenous organizations and communities to address the crisis of violence. Although the plan was due to be developed by June 2021, it has not yet been fully developed or implemented. The development of the National Action Plan is seen as a critical step in implementing the recommendations of the MMIWG2S Calls for Justice. More developments will be announced by Canada on June 21, 2023. We are waiting to see how the province of Alberta responds.
As you know the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a non-binding international instrument that sets out the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples, as well as the standards for their well-being and survival. UNDRIP was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and is seen as a key international instrument in the promotion of Indigenous rights and self-determination.
The Government of Canada officially removed its permanent objector status to UNDRIP in 2010 and endorsed the declaration in 2016, but it was not until 2018 that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP Act) was introduced in Parliament. The UNDRIP Act was passed into law in June 2021 and requires the federal government to work with Indigenous peoples to develop an action plan to implement the provisions of UNDRIP.
The UNDRIP Act also requires the federal government to ensure that all federal laws are consistent with the principles of UNDRIP, and to report annually on its progress towards implementing the declaration. The act also provides a framework for recognizing and implementing Indigenous rights in Canada and for advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. While all rights espoused in UNDRIP apply to women, there are specific articles within UNDRIP which recognize the rights of women. That there are specific provisions pertaining to Indigenous women’s rights is significant because Indigenous women experience compounded effects of discrimination. Moreover, Indigenous women are often discriminated against within their own groups, and are prevented from participating in decisions affecting them.
Despite actions such as legislating An Act respecting First Nation, Inuit and Metis children and families, and implementing programs, policies and funding such as Jordan’s Principle, there continues to be inequities and discrimination for Indigenous children and families.
Poverty, racism and systemic discrimination are continuing root causal factors impacting the high rates of MMIWG2S. Alberta has been reported to have one of the highest rates of sexual violence in Canada, and the second highest rate of self-reported spousal violence. Research has also determined that Indigenous women are nearly three times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be a victim of a violent crime. There is also clear evidence that perpetrators often seek out Indigenous women as targets for attacks.
Read more: Annual Memorial March for MMIWG2S: Here are Five Things you can do as a lawyer
A Historic Day in the Legal Profession: The Path to Cultural Competency in Alberta, and We did it! Meegwich!
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- Written by Andrea Menard Andrea Menard
- Created: 06 February 2023 06 February 2023
Today is a historic day for the legal profession in Alberta, as lawyers across the province gather to vote on the mandatory requirement of taking The Path (Alberta), an online Indigenous Cultural Competency Education course I developed. This training is designed to enhance cultural understanding and improve the relationship between the legal profession and Indigenous Peoples.