Finding the warrior to help end gender-based systemic violence
It is the traditional role of Indigenous men to protect the women, children and the community. However, the term “warrior” has been grossly misrepresented for many years.
It is true that in the past, Indigenous men were forced to take a stand to protect our people. The use of force or to wage war was a last resort and a rare occurrence. Pre-contact, this was an important responsibility and men’s roles were rooted in balance, mutual respect and were complementary with responsibly that focused on the protection and provision that was valued equally to the women’s roles.
Young boys would spend time with their female relatives to gain an understanding of women. A man spent time with his pregnant wife to get an understanding of a woman in pregnancy. The man would take the responsibility of childcare and share in teaching children with women. Our cultural teachings are based on a common theme of respectful and peaceful relations. Although the way nations express that common theme may differ, the underlying basis is the same.
Although men and women have specific roles, these roles were complimentary and every role was necessary for the family, community and nation.
Women are our sacred givers of life. Women have the most important role. (Somehow, we’ve forgotten that our women carry and give birth to our children.) Many nations are matrilineal lead, where the women hold significant power and authority.
When colonists came, our traditional systems significantly shifted these dynamics.
The patriarchal system was introduced where Indigenous women had no voice. They held no position of leadership or authority. They held no power, including over their very bodies.
Federally operated Indian hospitals practiced forced or coerced sterilization on Indigenous women. The practice did not stop when Indian hospitals closed.
This practice is still legal under the Criminal Code – this act of determining Indigenous women as unfit to be parent. This attempted erasure of Indigenous Peoples.
In October 2024, the Senate passed Bill S-250 to criminalize forced sterilization as an aggravated assault with 14 years imprisonment. It never reached First Reading in the House of Commons. The bill died when Parliament was prorogued in early 2025. In June, it was reintroduced as Bill S-228. May it swiftly move through the Senate and House of Commons to become law! I call on men in particular to raise their voices to help make this happen.
Indigenous women need us men as the warriors we used to be. To be their protectors, to honour them as our sacred life givers, to value them as equal partners, to remember and regain the balance we were once in.
By Connor Sarazin, Operations Specialist
A Prayer for MMIWG2S
Mother Earth, Grandmother Moon, we pray to you.
We pray that you hold our tears of sadness.
We pray that you hold our hearts aching with grief.
We pray that we will see our grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend once again.
That they are not lost to us forever and have returned to the stars above us, without us.
We pray to you.
We had to report that she hadn’t been seen and is unreachable.
We know the truth in our hearts that she is part of a growing group.
A group that no one wants to be a part of but so many are.
Our fears are confirmed in one phone call.
She’s been found but is no longer with us.
We pray for you dear one.
We are one of the lucky ones.
We know where you rest, alone in those final hours.
So many are left to wonder where their loved ones are.
What happened to you? So many are left to wonder, where are you, are you still alive?
We pray for you.
We have become accustomed to the reality that our women and girls may never return each time they step out into the world.
We have become accustomed to the reality that this epidemic is greater than us and is global.
We have become accustomed to the loss of loved ones and to grief.
We pray for all of us.
We look within and find the strength to continue on.
Listening to the Creator, we express our gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us and is within us.
We smile, we laugh, we cry, we are humble and resilient.
We remember and carry on, without our loved ones.
Help us Creator.
We pray to you.
By Connor Sarazin
