Aboriginal women's rise brings power to much-needed voices

We try not be sexist, but history tells us women have been more prone to peace and nurturing,while men have beenmore apt to engage in war and and the destruction it creates.

Women are the lifegivers. They carry the water.

For the past century, First Nations politics has been dominated by men, but things are changing.

Female indigenous leaders like Marion Ironquil Meadmore, Mary Richard, Diane Redsky, LeslieSpillett, Sharon Redsky, Nahanni Fontaine, Josie Hill ... I have to stop here because the hundredsof names I could add would take all of my space ... have been driving forces behind the positivechanges that have been made in the social and economic development of First Nations.

The point is, we welcome the new approach that comes with the election of Sheila North Wilsonas grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the first woman to be elected grand chiefof MKO since it was established in 1981.

• MKO election: Sheila North Wilson elected as first female grand chief

North Wilson is well versed in the major pressing issues of infrastructure needs, hydrodevelopment, mining and other priorities facing northern First Nations communities. She will carrythe case well.

Every 20 minutes in this "modern" country, a woman is slapped in the face, punched or kicked,stabbed or shot.- Don Marks

At the same time, North Wilson is going to bring a perspective backed by political clout to a majortragedy that plagues our country.

Every 20 minutes in Canada, a woman becomes the victim of domestic violence.

Let's rephrase that.

Every 20 minutes in this "modern" country, a woman is slapped in the face, punched or kicked,stabbed or shot. More than 1,200 aboriginal women are missing or murdered.

And every time this happens, good men get angry because they can't stand to see their mothersand sisters and aunts treated this way, and they want to punch the living daylights out of thesemen but that usually only makes it worse for the woman.

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Most men cannot comprehend what it's like to be unable to fight back or defend yourself in anyway. And most men in their right minds would never put a woman in that kind of situation.

Women want these violent men to get counselling; to find out why they think it is their duty or theirright to whack a woman with a frying pan because they didn't make the eggs right one morning.

Meanspirited men must suffer the consequences of their actions. Perpetrators cannot be allowedto move from one relationship to another, inflicting violence on victim after victim, includingchildren who have to suffer the horror of seeing their most beloved guide through life be bruisedand bled and battered in front of their eyes.

No doubt women must be protected, but this isn't something that can be solved by "locking peopleup and throwing away the key."

There are so many men who are victims themselves and may be helped with some patience andlove and professional care. Many of these men themselves suffered abuse that has caused themto lash out.

There is a lot of work to do

Sheila North Wilson does not have to be a victim of violence to be able to relate to a woman whois. She can rely on experts like Manitoba advisor on aboriginal women Nahanni Fontaine andManitoba Muslim leader Shahina Siddiqui (who supplied the statistic on how often women areabused). These brilliant, educated experts will help MKO and all First Nations people deal withthis situation, which has nonaboriginal and aboriginal men inflicting enormous pain on indigenouswomen.

When anyone imagines a fellow human not able to find safety in her own home, worried aboutbeing woken up at 3 a.m. and being bounced off walls by fists of fury, or out on the streets living invulnerable situations that arose out of a dysfunctional background nobody would choose we allknow these missing and murdered women are a national priority for all Canadians.

There is no validation for the guy who tells a judge "she just wouldn't listen" in court.

Fortunately, I believe that most of the men who inflict this violence want help so they can change.

And most other men want them to change.

Let us never forget the sacrifice that good, ordinary men, plumbers, school teachers, insurancesalesmen, doctors and lawyers made when they laid down their lives to defeat mass murderers likeAdolf Hitler.

Moms and dads both have roles to play in the home and in community leadership. We justhaven't had enough female hearts and minds represented in in our political processes.

Lead the way, Sheila!

Don Marks is a Winnipeg writer.