Our Shared Shelf discussion

UNDRIP - the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
https://twitter.com/MattSBritton/stat...
He has written all rights out, so I thought I link him.
Here's something about it from the UN themselves:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp...

It's not really a surprise that the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand voted against it, for me.
Now, I believe, that we as feminists need to work for the liberation of all our sisters, and that includes Indigenous sisters.
There is a petition on change.org which aims to remind Justin Trudeau of his promises, and I will link that here:
https://www.change.org/p/justin-trude...

How much do you think this is a feminist issue? I know some might say that this is not a feminist issue, I'm just curious about your views on that.

@Mods: I didn't really know where to put this topic, if you deem it necessary to put it elsewhere, feel free to do so.

Any oppression of women is a feminist issue, The plight of indigenous population should important to feminist everywhere.

Ross wrote: "Any oppression of women is a feminist issue, The plight of indigenous population should important to feminist everywhere."

Intersectional feminism rules!

Yes I personally think that the situation and living conditions of indigenous women is of course relevant for feminism. But I also think the issue is not as easy as it seems to be on the first view.

Because it's a fact that indigenous people all around the world from Native Americans to Aborigines have a long history of suffering under colonial oppression and racist discrimination. And colonial rule meant that especially women were violated in their rights. With colonial rule there also came patriarchal oppression against women.

But at the same time, indigenous women had and still have to confront patriarchal patterns in their own society. I don't think you can say this in general but there are also patriarchal patterns that existed in many places before colonial rule was forced on indigenous people.

I am quite a Latinamerica nerd. That's why I know that for example in countries like Bolivia indigenous women have to struggle against more than colonialism and racism. Indigenous women also have to struggle against patriarchal patterns in their own communities.

And just take a look at Mexico which I think shows some interesting experiences. When the Zapatistas started their revolt in Chiapas in 1994, it was in the first place an uprising for indigenous rights. And the Zapatista women played and still play a crucial part in this revolt. Here is an older but interesting article on this issue which some of you might want to read: http://www.coha.org/womens-rights-in-...

Keith wrote: "I don't see how it can't be a feminist issue. Inequality and brutal suppression must be fought, irrespective of gender.

During a research session on the subject, I came across this article: https..."

As I said, it doesn't really surprise when I look at the countries that have opposed it. One step forward, two steps, isn't it? Well, at least the judge was on the right side of history. Do you know how the trial turned out to be? As it is so at hand of the topic.
Speaking of populations: Did you know that Native Americans are only allowed to vote since 1983? And in order to do that they were robbed of their status of the respective nation they belonged to? Which is bad because now they can't negotiate as a People with another People (them and the US) anymore, which made their position only worse.
A win isn't always a win, sometimes a win turns out to be really a loss.

Sascha wrote: "Yes I personally think that the situation and living conditions of indigenous women is of course relevant for feminism. But I also think the issue is not as easy as it seems to be on the first view..."
I totally agree with you, which is why I think intersectional feminism is so important. It's not a single-term solution, it's a complex one. But most importantly we need to listen more than we need to speak. Otherwise we may do more harm than good.

I go with this: If someone asks for help, my hand is there, but I won't tell them what to do, they are the experts, I am the one who needs to listen.

Thanks for sharing this petition. It needs more signs!!

Laure wrote: "Thanks for sharing this petition. It needs more signs!!"

I totally agree with you, I signed it weeks ago.