Gender Equality

Violence against Aboriginal Women
Gender and Women Studies
GWST 2510 B
Ashwana Raveendran
212267068
Jolin Joseph
October 21, 2013

The aboriginal community includes a rough amount of the Canadian population; history has shown that aboriginal women have undergone many struggles to develop the status of their livelihood. These women have gone through many obstacles to obtain their rights and identity in Canada. One of the concerning issues that need awareness brought upon is the violence against aboriginal women within Canada. The women were facing (---) as much more violence, physically, sexually and emotionally then a non aboriginal woman. Much of this harm was being faced within the individuals’ household, committed by her partner and also in the community through forced labor. The brutality conducted against aboriginal women is an important issue, which will be further discussed.
After completing the library session taken place at York University, students were introduced to many databases that can be used to further increase their academics in researching. There were only two databases that were used in this assignment, these include: EBSCOhost and Canadian Newsstand. EBSCOhonst is a research engine which is used amongst many students, professors, researchers to further enhance their work/knowledge. This database was used in order to locate the two scholarly articles discussed by simply plotting in the key words, the type of text needed and the time frame. It is also a reliable source because the information is guaranteed to be peer reviewed. Another database used was Canadian Newsstand, this database was used for the two newspaper articles within this assignment. The database is guaranteed to provide individuals with access to newspapers which are full- text electronic files. It is beneficial to this assignment, especially to the issue of study because it provides articles which were directly related to the topic. Likewise, this database was simple to understand and easy to manage.

Baron, E. (2011, May 18). Violence against Canadian women persists; Aboriginal females suffer more. The Province, p. A13. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies (867867127).
Statistics show that in Canada itself there has been an alarming rate of the amount of partner violence being done towards woman. Aboriginal woman specifically face violence at a rate 3 times more than non aboriginal woman. Many of these aboriginal woman and children are at a higher rate at being abused sexually, physically, robbed, and assaulted within their home and community. This article shows the difference between aboriginal and non aboriginal woman with accurate statistics. Therefore, proving that aboriginal woman most certainly face a greater amount of violent victimization.
Brownridge, D. A. (2008). Understanding the elevated risk of partner violence agianst aboriginal women: A comparison of two nationally representative surveys of Canada. Journal Of Family Violence, 23(5), 353-367. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from EBSCO Host.
This article shows the results between two conducted surveys about what factors could have been the reason to violence towards aboriginal woman. Although there were many limitations that took place, it is still shown that aboriginal woman was facing more partner cruelty in comparison to non aboriginal woman. They believe that much of the risks could be associated with colonization of aboriginal peoples. I chose this specific article because it gives a comparison between two different surveys, along with different variables, referring back to a table using the models. This gives readers a more accurate understanding/view of this issue.
Cuthand, D. (2007, July 16). Women upset with high rates of abuse: [Final Edition]. Leader Post, p. A3. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies (349948796).
An association is determined to call for a change and specifically focused on having their leaders recognize it. It is unfair that Canada is given the name as a free country but still there is still crucial exertion happening within. The women have no more tolerance towards such acts and are no longer going to isolate the issue. Violence towards any individual is not an appropriate manner and Aboriginal woman are to be treated with equal rights and respect. This article was chosen because it draws a lot of attention to the subject of violence and causes society to become more aware of the issue of violence towards aboriginal woman specifically.
Kuokkanen, R. (2008). Globalization as Racialized, Sexualized Violence. International Feminist Journal Of Politics, 10(2), 216-233. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from EBSCO Host.
Society has globally been influenced as violence being racialized and sexualized. The author believes that this is created by social and economic marginalization which is due to the consequences of colonialism. Indigenous woman are the main target for this act and has become a foundation of their way of life. Instead of viewing the woman as targets/victims the author tries to make the readers become aware that these women are fighting for their rights to become recognized in society.

After browsing and exploring through many databases there were four articles that best fit the subject at hand. The four articles are: Globalization as Racialized, Sexualized Violence which will be referred as article one, Understanding the Elevated Risk of Partner Violence Against Aboriginal Women: A Comparison of Two Nationally Representative Surveys of Canada referred as article two, Violence against Canadian women persists; Aboriginal females suffer more referred as article three and lastly Women upset with high rates of abuse; [Final Edition] referred to as article four. To begin, the articles all have the reoccurring theme of violence against aboriginal women. Although they had similarities relating to the cruelty of women, the articles have different focuses on whom the violence is being conducted by. Article one, discusses how the linkage of oppression connects to extreme globalization and aboriginal women, whom are used as objects of violence for the cheapening of labor. In contrast to this focus, article two, three and four speak of the subject as an issue which is geared towards women. These women face violence committed by males who live within the household or community, most typically the wives’ partners.
The articles discussed are written in different styles of writing. Article one is written in first person, this is identified as the author begins speaking about her opinions on the topic and ends with her beliefs. The article is written in a persuasive manner, seeing that the author is trying to persuade her audience to consider her thoughts and beliefs. Article two, is written as a research/study. This article compares two surveys that are conducted within Canada and shows the difference of violence victimization between first nations and non first nation citizens. On the contrary, the news paper articles are written in third person stating factorial data about the issue and giving statistics of the data.
Not only did the styles of writing differ, so did the format. Article two, is an academic comparison between two surveys which reports the findings of a quantative study. It states the variables that were used, predications, measurement and materials/methods in the paper. There are also tables shown, comparing the differences between aboriginal and non aboriginal women along with the population sample. Article one, is written more as a literature review, where the author brings together two examples to support his thoughts and opinion. In contrast to this, the news articles are formatted as a report.
Lastly, each author has intentionally written the articles leading towards a specific audience. The scholarly journals are written to educate students, academics and individuals who are within the field of study. Whereas, the newspaper articles are speaking directly to those within a society, to make sure individuals globally become aware of the issue happening within Canada.

Many individuals grow up in a society where patriarchy is emphasized, meaning that men are considered dominant and everything else as below. Specifically, the populations of indigenous woman face economic globalization, a form of marginalization that affects their foundation of existence. It is an oppression that is linked to patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism however it is something that intensifies and creates a more explicit form of violence against indigenous women. This causes women in general to be known as powerless and causes their concerns to remain unknown. This view can be examined using two examples: the high rates of physical, sexual violence against indigenous women and the militarization of indigenous women in the US.
Indigenous women in Canada are known to having the highest rate of violence against them. The acts of violence towards these women are in society’s general attitudes but are left ignored. Economically and socially, violence is considered to be colonized because of marginalization. This leads to poverty, homelessness and prostitution which are open doors for violence to take place. The women are put to labor using crucial ways for investments. Along with sexual and physical violence, there is a reinforcement of structural, political and economic violence. For example, men of the ‘New World Order’ behave in ways of aggressive masculinity in which is acted out in sexual violence towards indigenous woman. The act of sexual violence is not taken place because of patriarchal control but rather used as a tool for racism and colonialism. Instead of looking at these women as victims, while ignoring the brutality they face, society should draw more attention to the opinions these woman are striving to voice that they are individuals in this society that deserve the equal rights as every other person.