Issues of Tension: Aboriginal Women and Western Feminism

Citation:

Houle, Leta. 2011. "Issues of Tension: Aboriginal Women and Western Feminism." Religious Studies and Theology 30 (2): 209-33.

Author: Leta Houle

Abstract:

Western feminism has been used by Aboriginal and Métis women to assert their gender rights within Aboriginal cultures. However, issues of what exactly Aboriginal women's issues are, and who gets to discuss them is under contention. Defining Western feminism and Aboriginal women's exclusion from it, is followed by a discussion on how Aboriginal and Métis women are using Western feminism within various Aboriginal Algonquian cultures to assert their rights and this is building tension between Aboriginal women with a Western feminist view, and traditional Aboriginal women. The focus is largely drawn from my experience in Cree culture, with the broader issue of feminism discussed within the context of Native cultures.

Keywords: western feminism, aboriginal feminism, aboriginal cultural identity, Indian Act - legislation

Topics: Coloniality/Post-Coloniality, Feminisms, Gender, Women, Girls, Indigenous, Rights, Indigenous Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Americas, North America Countries: Canada

Year: 2011