Not Sacred, Not Squaws: Indigenous Feminism Redefined

by Cherry Smiley

Building on the work of second-wave radical feminist theorists from fields such as communication studies, sociology, history, and women’s studies; on the work of community based and grassroots radical feminist theorists and activists; and by examining prostitution and the responses to this form of male violence against women, in this book Cherry Smiley proposes a female-centered theory of colonization and subsequently of decolonizing feminism.

Incorporating first-hand prostitution research done in New Zealand and across Canada and questioning her own uncritical acceptance of the historical social and political status of Indigenous women in Canada, Cherry Smiley has looked at the roles of culture and tradition in the oppression of Indigenous women, and has constructed a decolonizing feminist methodology in the process. This work troubles the very concepts of ‘colonization’ and ‘feminism’ as we currently understand them.

In Not Sacred, Not Squaws, Cherry Smiley redefines colonization and situates decolonizing feminism as distinct and foundational as opposed to separate and different components of the Women’s Liberation Movement.

380 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[redhood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a controversial radical feminist read, but still one that has to be included in the overarching conversation on sex trafficking, prostitution, and sex work. A big critique on my end is the extensive lack of nuance and consideration of the different types of sex work.

[Hannah Wattangeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book where Cherry Smiley analyses the connections between patriarchy, racism and colonization in her critique of the prostitution industry. Her conclusion: "A redefinition of colonization as a heirarchical sex-based process allows for a woman-centred definition of decolonizing feminism that prioritizes women's sex-based oppression whilst also recognizing and challenging women's oppression based on class, race and sexuality." (p. 226)

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Not Sacred, Not Squaws," Cherry Smiley offers a powerful and unflinching analysis of the sexual exploitation of Indigenous women. Blending personal narrative with incisive historical critique, she deconstructs the dehumanizing objectification embedded in terms like "squaw." Smiley's bold assertion, "not sacred," serves as a potent rejection of romanticized stereotypes, asserting the fundamental agency of Indigenous women. She lays bare the stark material realities of their lives, meticulously examining the sex-based power imbalances within patriarchal structures that amplify their oppression. Notably, she confronts the challenging topic of Indigenous men's complicity in these systems. Smiley also exposes the ongoing colonization of Indigenous cultural spaces via modern identity politics, demonstrating how these frameworks perpetuate the erasure and silencing of Indigenous women's voices, and perspectives.