THUNDER BAY - Violence is far reaching, impacting family, friends, and members of the community. For Indigenous women, who are statistically three times more likely to be the victims of violence, standing together as a community and sharing those experience provides an opportunity to heal and discuss ways to prevent future generations from becoming victims.
“I think it’s important to end violence, not just against women, but violence in general and looking out for the little ones coming up,” said Tracy Gibson. “We need to educate our younger ones, the children coming up. Violence doesn’t solve anything.”
Gibson was one of the participants in a workshop held in Thunder Bay on Saturday, hosted by Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation) Health and Social Services to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to honour the victims of violence and to discuss how communities can work together toward ending violence against Indigenous women.
Edna Hodgkinson, a registered nurse and director of health and social services with Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek said violence against Indigenous women happens every day.
“It’s very visible,” she said. “It’s not something that is sporadic. It’s visible all the time and we are all totally aware of it.”
The workshop has been held for the past five years and Hodgkinson said one of the key purposes is to provide women with an opportunity to share their stories and offer them the help they need.
“We all know what is going on and what has gone on and where it stems from,” Hodgkinson continued. “The whole idea of doing this workshop is to allow those who might be in need to know that there are supportive measures available.”
“It’s more about getting together and understanding what is going on around us,” added Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation chief, Joe Ladouceur. “It’s about getting together as First Nations people. It’s not just us. It’s for everybody. Everyone is welcomed to come in and see our culture.”
The full-day workshop included a drum circle, a feast, a powwow, as well as a beading and a faceless doll workshop.
Katie Borysewicz, a councillor with Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation, said the beaded ornaments are to serve as a memory of women who have been victims of violence and each faceless doll represents an Indigenous woman who has gone missing or was murdered.
“I’m hoping the women take away from today a sense of empowerment,” Borysewicz said. “We are here to honour the memories of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Even if you don’t know someone who is part of that unfortunate scenario, we are all connected as First Nation people and we unite together as First Nation people.”
