‘Herstory’ made as leaders adopt resolutions that promote gender equality, inclusivity at AFN | 24CA News

While leaders have to date addressed solely a handful of the lengthy listing of resolutions slated for dialogue at this week’s Assembly of First Nations (AFN) meeting, two resolutions have been handed advancing gender equality for girls in management.

“We need to see more of our women in roles of leadership,” mentioned Naa Sháade Eric Háni Morris of the Teslin Tlingit Council.

Despite the rise within the variety of First Nations girls in management positions, Morris mentioned insurance policies on the AFN are “silent” on advantages like maternity go away for regional chiefs. It’s why he moved a decision that was handed unanimously by the tons of of chiefs and proxies gathered in Ottawa for the 2022 Special Chiefs Assembly.

The decision directs the AFN to implement suggestions from a 2020 report that reviewed compensation for the position of regional chief, together with offering maternity and parental go away. It additionally requires supporting households by offering youngster care at assemblies. 

Morris mentioned the modifications will assist take away some boundaries for girls to thrive in management positions.

Neskonlith Indian Band Kukpi7 (Chief) Judy Wilson mentioned it is “long overdue.”

The AFN elected its first lady as nationwide chief in 2021, and there are at present three regional chiefs who’re girls. Wilson mentioned increasingly First Nations are electing girls as chief and to council. 

“They shouldn’t have to choose from being a mother and being a leader,” mentioned Wilson.

“We need to make sure that they can lead with confidence and they’ll enjoy the rights of all other women when it comes to maternity.”

Ogimaa Kwe (Chief) Linda Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation mentioned the advantages additionally have to be utilized in communities. She gave start to a daughter final 12 months, and wasn’t eligible for maternity go away.

“Leaders like me and I know most women dedicate their lives to their community 24/7,” she mentioned.

“I was in labour until 5 p.m. on a Zoom call for my community and gave birth to my daughter just before 7 p.m. Just how dedicated we are.”

Change additionally wanted at AFN assemblies, say critics 

While the decision handed unanimously, a number of chiefs expressed their opinions on the difficulty — some noting extra must be achieved, each in communities and on the meeting ground.

Chief Jeff Copenace of the Ojibways of Onigaming mentioned points like lacking and murdered Indigenous girls and women ought to have been on the forefront of the meeting in mild of the news of costs laid within the deaths of 4 Indigenous girls in Winnipeg. Some of their members of the family addressed the meeting late on Tuesday afternoon after a lot of delegates left.

Copenace additionally referred to as out males who had been seen on the meeting who’ve allegedly abused or mistreated girls, as to why extra must be achieved.

“It’s not enough,” he mentioned, adopted by applause and a standing ovation.

“How do we expect police or non-Indigenous governments to take this seriously if we’re not going to hold our own men accountable?”

Chief Angela Levasseur, the primary feminine chief elected by the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, expressed resentment for the way some chiefs and proxies have been treating AFN meeting chair Wina Sioui, stating she does not imagine a person can be spoken to in the identical approach when procedural points have been raised on the meeting ground.

“Our men must be held accountable for the way that they treat our women and the example that they set,” she mentioned.

AFN to replace National Indian Brotherhood title

On Tuesday, the chiefs in meeting additionally handed a decision to replace the AFN’s company title from the National Indian Brotherhood to advertise extra “welcoming and inclusive” language.

When the AFN was created in 1982, the group maintained the title of its forerunner as the company physique that enters into authorized agreements starting from funding preparations with the federal authorities to leases. 

The title change was introduced up by a delegate on the July annual common meeting, to thunderous applause from the meeting. 

“This is a moment in ‘herstory,'” mentioned National Chief RoseAnne Archibald on Tuesday.

“I want you to give yourself a big round of applause, chiefs, because you have made a change that signals to women and girls everywhere and gender diverse people that the AFN has a space for them.”