FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear was a speaker at a celebration of International Women’s Day at the University of Saskatchewan Tuesday morning.
The event was presented by the University of Saskatchewan Students Union to celebrate women’s day, as well as commemorate 100 years of non-Indigenous women having the right to vote in Saskatchewan.
First Nations women were not granted the right to vote in Canadian elections until 1960, when all First Nations people were given the right to vote.
Bear spoke on this, as well as the history and role of First Nations women in leadership positions.
“Unfortunately, as the struggle for women’s rights was taking place, Indigenous women were stripped of their roles as leaders and matriarchs in our homes through federal policy and the Indian Act,” said Bear. “International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the root causes that have led us to where we are today in the hope that awareness will create understanding and understanding will create change in society.”
The vice-chief also spoke on the status of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She says this issue will be a key factor in driving women’s rights going forward.
Also on hand for the event was FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.
“Our women have always been leaders in our homes, communities and tribes,” said Cameron. “It is time for the full and equal inclusion and participation of women in the social, political and economic institutions of society.”
Several university students attended the event as well.