b'INDIGENOUS WARRIORAnd that meant not just fighting theseWorking closely with destructive policies, but also helping toother Indigenous educate and empower other Canadians toactivists, Palmater jump on board with us and hold govern- has been active in ment to account. and around a huge Working as a federal civil servant was, asnumber of projects Palmater describes it, soul-sucking andand campaigns, oppressive because of the attitudes she sawwhether its anti-in play, and also because it meant she had topipeline protests, the give up her work as an activist. It was timeNational Inquiry for a change. I needed to find a place ofinto Murdered and employment that would jibe with who I amMissing Indigenous as an Indigenous person, somewhere whereWomen and Girls I wouldnt have this constant conflict, sheor the Truth andPamela Palmater has used her exceptional legal skills combined explains. Thats how I ended up comingReconciliationwith strength and determination to fight for Indigenous rightsto Ryerson. My employment, my kids, myCommission of Indigenous identity, my education, my goalsCanada. She has alsoit all fits here. worked with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and thefirst Indigenous woman appointed to the United Nations to call out Canadas appal- Senate). Or Gitxsan campaigner Cindy JOINING THE STRUGGLE ling record on treatment of its IndigenousBlackstock, whose steadfast fight for the Peoples and force the government to takerights of Indigenous children had a lot to do Freed from public sector restrictions,meaningful action. with Palmaters decision to launch her own Palmater wholeheartedly jumped into thechildrens podcast. Or Cheryl Maloney from struggle for Indigenous rights. It didnt takeWhen asked whom she looks up to in theSipeknekatik (formerly Indian Brook First long for her exceptional talents to provestruggle, Palmater is especially eloquentNation), who has defended Mikmaw fishing themselves. In 2012-2013, she became aabout the influence that other Indigenousrights despite government inaction, the central figure in the new Idle No Morewomen warriors have had on her. SheRCMPs active indifference, and outright Indigenous resistance movement thatnames Sharon McIvor, who took the fightviolence from non-Indigenous fishers.originated in response to the introductionagainst Indian Act discrimination to the of Bill C-45 by the government of PrimeUnited Nations, where she won a significantThe complete list of Indigenous warriors Minister Stephen Harper. The bill proposedsuccess in 2019 when the UN directedPalmater admiresmany men as well as removing environmental protections fromCanada to find an effective remedy forwomenis much longer, of course. But for many waterways that pass through Firstwomen who had been treated unfairly.her, the important element in the leader-Nations land, something First Nationsship they have demonstrated is that it is activists saw as a direct attack on their ownTheres also Mohawk activist Katsitsakwasparticipatory and community-based rather land rights. Palmater became a prominent(Ellen Gabriel), who was a pillar ofthan hierarchical. When I look at people spokesperson for the movement, using herstrength during the Oka Crisis in 1990,who I think represent leadership, none of legal skills, her experience as an activist,and Sandra Lovelace, a Wolastoqiyik orthem are in elected positions, Palmater says. and her passion for the struggle to explainMaliseet woman who successfully foughtTheyre individuals who, on the ground, to Canadians what the movement was andIndian Act discrimination before the UNthrough their strength, determination and why it was needed.in the 1970s and 1980s (and is now thepersistence, have been able not just to inspire hope and agitate for change but have actually made that change. Winning court CONGRATULATIONScases, getting recommendations, educating the public theyre winning over and over to ONWA for their 50th Anniversary! and over again.Despite setbacks and the length of the strugglethose problems that didnt go OAHS is proud to be ONWAs premier Indigenous Housingaway in the time it took to get a first-class partner.We serve the housing needs of Indigenousformal educationPalmater is definitely women, their families, and many people across Ontario. optimistic about the future. Her optimism is rooted in the people she sees struggling alongside her. Were literally always surrounded by peopleeven if you dont see themheroes and warriors on the ground, doing good work to make sure were okay, she says. And we keep making advances. Ultimately, weve survived geno-cide, and that speaks to the strength and power of our people. And the little kids I see wearing Land Back T-shirts, speaking Telephone: 1-866-391-1061 @OntarioAboriginalHousing their languages, dancing in pow-wows, being part of marches and ralliesI see that, and I www.OntarioAboriginalHousing.ca @OAHSSC know were going to be okay. 42Fall/Winter 2021'