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The Reality of Indigenous Women Facing Sexual Violence in Canada

Topics covered: Intersectionality, violences

Topics Covered: Gender-based violence (GBV), sexual violence (SV), internalized oppression, intersectionality, socioeconomic impact, allyship, specialized organizations

The YWCA – Montreal acknowledges and respects the Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) and Anishinaabe nations, the traditional custodians of the unceded territory on which we are located.

«What should I tell my daughter when she’s raped? »
Wieskamp et Smith, 2020

For Indigenous women in the United States, the question is not if a sexual violence (SV) is likely, but rather when it will happen. In Quebec, the reality for Indigenous women is similar. The following paragraphs will explore the prevalence of SV among Indigenous women in Quebec and its impact on their socioeconomic development.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue, this article presents the historical context of SV experienced by Indigenous peoples in Quebec, the role of institutions and socialization, and the amplifying effect of intersectionality.

Some Statistics

The following figures highlight the extent of the situation faced by Indigenous women in Canada. Unfortunately, these statistics, derived from police reports, represent only a fraction of the actual violence, as they are limited to filed complaints where the complainant’s ethnic origin is recorded. Currently, police services lack a standardized practice for collecting this information.¹⁷

Some of the data dates back to over 20 years ago, a time when Canadian society was less receptive and open to the denunciation of SV. Even today, individuals who report such violence face biases that make it difficult to come forward. Many young girls and women remain hesitant to report the violence they have suffered.¹⁷

Through the following lines, the YWCA – Montreal invites you to reflect on:

Those who do not file an official complaint.

Those who have never spoken about their experience.

The social barriers to reporting violence.

To deepen your reflection on reporting sexual assaults, explore our tool Myth or Reality: False Denunciations available on the Sans Violence Free platform.

Although the actual numbers are likely much higher, Indigenous women in Canada are disproportionately represented among victims. For example:

Indigenous women make up 5% of the female population in Canada but accounted for 26% of women murdered by an intimate partner in 2022.¹³

At least 17% of Indigenous women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence, and 86% of Indigenous women in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.³³

Nearly half (43%) of Indigenous women have been victims of sexual assault starting at the age of 15.³⁰

In a statistical survey, 33% of Indigenous respondents reported experiencing discrimination within the five years preceding the survey.³²

8% of Indigenous respondents experienced gender-based violence (GBV), and over 14% reported discrimination based on their physical appearance.³²

A Heavy Historical Legacy

The study of the history of persecution faced by Indigenous peoples, particularly women, sheds light on the role of Canadian and Quebec institutions. The persistence of violence has complex socioeconomic impacts on entire communities.¹⁴

The terms “Indian” and “American Indian,” which were used in colonial-era laws, still appear in some current legislation. In this article, these terms will only be used when referencing the content of such legislation.¹⁴

SV and GBV Among Indigenous Peoples

Since the arrival of the first settlers, Indigenous women have been sexualized and deemed impure or savage. This harmful dynamic persisted with the establishment of “Indian” residential schools, which began in 1880 with federal government funding across Canada, a country founded in 1867.⁷^{14 16}¹⁹ The last residential school closed in 1990.⁶¹²

The Indian Act, enacted in 1876, framed Indigenous populations as inferior to Euro-Christian (non-Indigenous) Canadian society.⁶¹²

These examples of government measures demonstrate how systemic structures contribute to SV and GBV experienced by women. For more information on these topics, we encourage you to consult the cited sources.

Systemic discrimination, on the other hand, can be subtler. For instance, policies that fail to account for cultural differences or the geographic and demographic contexts of Indigenous communities result in systemic racism.

For instance, Indigenous children are disproportionately represented in youth protection services due to criteria that fail to account for the realities of Indigenous communities.³¹ Today, the number of Indigenous children placed in foster care remains significantly higher than that of non-Indigenous children. Alarmingly, the number of Indigenous children in foster care now surpasses those who attended residential schools. This is often referred to as a “millennial cultural genocide.”⁶²⁴^{25 34}

Obstetric Violence

It may seem logical, even trivial, that hospitals providing perinatal services are in southern Quebec. However, they are far from the Indigenous reserves in the North. Some communities, such as the Inuit, only have access to these services by plane, often disrupted by weather conditions. This lack of access exacerbates the inequalities between Indigenous women and non-Indigenous women.²³³⁶

Indigenous women who access hospitals may face various stressors, including the absence of a loved one to support them, services provided in a language unfamiliar to them, and obstetric violence linked to the prejudices of healthcare professionals.^{1 10 15 36 37} The difficulty in accessing healthcare and education contributes to the perpetuation of SV and GBV.¹⁶

Internalized Oppression

Internalized oppression is a harmful effect of the long history of oppression, where Indigenous peoples, including women, may have come to view themselves as inferior to non-Indigenous people. Internalized oppression occurs when Indigenous women internalize and consciously or unconsciously repeat the invisibilization or marginalization of their group. This can lead them to make life choices based on these negative beliefs, such as decisions related to their careers.^{8 29}

Intergenerational Trauma

Intergenerational trauma is another major impact. The violence experienced by past generations has repercussions on current and future generations, reinforcing a cycle of violence and inequality.¹⁸²³

A Holistic Approach Needed for Better Consideration

It is important to conceptualize SV and GBV using a holistic analytical framework that considers the continuum on which they occur: intimate partner violence, family violence, physical, sexual, verbal, social, institutional, systemic, etc.

In summary, it is the combination of all the factors previously mentioned that leads to the lack of recognition of the violence these women face, minimizing the disciplinary consequences for the perpetrators of violence. This further strengthens the cycle of violence experienced by Indigenous women.

Intersectionality and Socioeconomic Impact

The intersectionality between ethnicity and gender exposes Indigenous women to specific forms of violence and discrimination that operate within a historical and social context. ¹⁶

These discriminations limit their access to education, employment, and decent living conditions, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. This is one of the factors contributing to their overrepresentation among victims of SV and GBV in Canada.

A Growing Socioeconomic Gap

The socioeconomic status of Indigenous women is often the source of disparities when compared to the general population, particularly in areas such as access to healthcare, housing, education, employment, and other services. The history of violence perpetrated and the impact of colonialism on Indigenous women have a negative influence on their socioeconomic status.⁴¹¹

Limited access to postsecondary education reduces career choices, which are constrained by the challenges of accessing resources and available services. These situations diminish the socioeconomic status of Indigenous women and expose them to situations where they are at higher risk of experiencing SV or GBV. Thus, socioeconomic status is both a risk factor and a consequence of SV and GBV, highlighting the cyclical nature of violence.

Being an Ally for Change

Sexual violence against Indigenous women is a complex issue rooted in colonial history and structural inequalities. A holistic approach, which considers the multiple dimensions of their reality, is essential to break the cycle of violence and improve their living conditions.

As an advocate or service provider, it is important to be respectful of the values and norms of the communities. One must position the individual being supported as the expert on their own situation. It is necessary to be open to addressing healing in a holistic/community way. This means recognizing and accepting that the person may have a different worldview. One must acknowledge the presence of systemic racism and one’s own biases. It is essential to engage in an intersectional approach that values individuality and involves continually educating oneself about their culture.²²²⁸³⁹

Specialized Organizations to Support You

Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK :
An organization with a “by and for” approach aiming at community development by offering various services.
- https://reseaumtlnetwork.com/en/
- [email protected]
- 438-992-4589

Regroupement des centres d’amitiés autochtones au Québec (Montreal Native) :
An organization whose mission is to contribute to the holistic health of Indigenous people in Quebec.
- https://www.rcaaq.info/en/les-centres/montreal/
- [email protected]
- 1-888-297-3635

211 Grand Montréal
A service search tool specializing in culturally sensitive practices for Indigenous communities.
- https://www.211qc.ca/en/indigenous-peoples

Mikana
An Indigenous organization fostering social change by raising awareness of Indigenous realities and perspectives among diverse audiences.
- https://www.mikana.ca/en/about-us/
- [email protected]

Projets autochtones du Québec
Support for Indigenous individuals experiencing housing insecurity in Tio’tià:ke / Montréal.
- https://www.paqc.org/en/contact-us/
- [email protected]
- 514-879-3310

Alliance Autochtone du Québec Inc.
An organization that advocates for and represents the interests of all Indigenous people living off-reserve, for example, by providing information about various government program to its members.
- https://aaqnaq.com/en/contact-us/
- [email protected]
- 819-770-7763

Glossary

Indigenous: Refers to the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian Constitution categorizes Indigenous peoples into three groups: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.¹⁴

Cultural Genocide: The erasure of a population’s culture and cultural identity, specifically referring to Indigenous populations.⁶

Holistic: Relates to the entirety or the overall nature of a subject or object.²⁰

Intersectionality: The overlapping or intersecting systems of oppression experienced by an individual due to belonging to multiple minority groups.²⁶

Socialization: The process of learning the norms and values specific to a given society.⁹

Socioeconomic Status: Refers to employment and social standing. Read this article for more information.

Systemic: Pertains to policies, practices, and behaviors embedded within the social and administrative structures of an organization. Systemic oppression, such as systemic sexism, creates systemic disadvantages for minority groups.⁵

disproportionately represented: The excessive proportion of individuals in a particular group (e.g., incarcerated persons) compared to their actual proportion in the general population.²⁷

Unceded Territory: Land belonging to Indigenous populations that has never been formally ceded or transferred to colonizers through treaties or agreements.³⁵

Sexual Violence (SV): Read this article for the definition.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Read this article for the definition.

Obstetric Violence: Violence related to pregnancy and childbirth.²¹

Références

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