b'BIG SPIRIT MOONSOCIAL MEDIA CHAMPION FOR the detrimental effects of parasocial Palmaters advocacy thrives in the digitalINDIGENOUS WOMEN relationships for advocates in the realm, where she has built a formidablePalmaters tireless advocacy haslimelight. Too often, we put people up presence across multiple platforms. Forconsistently uplifted Indigenous womenson a pedestal, she cautions. Never hold her, social media isnt about personalvoices, both in social movements and inyourself to a fictional standard.branding; its a strategic extension of herlegal reform. Even while speaking, she wasNevertheless, when asked about her legal and educational work. preparing to address the highest levelsgreatest achievement, Palmater doesnt of federal government on the very issuespoint to a legal victory, a viral post or a My strategy has always been [to] meetfacing Indigenous women: this time, hermovement milestone. The truth is much people where they are, she says. Whetherfocus is sex discrimination that persists incloser to home: Id have to say my kids. its TikTok for younger audiences,the Indian Act. Theyve been around enough to know Facebook for Elders or mainstream TVShe has also witnessed a profound shift inand taught enough that they can rattle for traditional news consumers, Palmaterrepresentation. More Indigenous womenoff whats wrong about the Indian Act, adapts her advocacy to each terrain, andare asked, What are the issues here?they know how to identify misinformation shes meticulous about how she engages. Because when they did interview Nativeonline, they know when a politician is people in the past, it was almost alwayswobbling around an answer, they know Ive always made it a practice that thereNative men, she explains. Elected Nativehow to look for facts and stats and whats isnt anything I say that I cant back upmen, very few women.really going on, she says, beaming with with a court case, a law, a fact, a statisticpride. Theyre critical thinkers.or a report, she says. I dont engage theThat shift has redirected national haters, trolls and people engaged in rageconversations towards the lived realitiesPalmaters career has been one of building of Indigenous women, children andsome of the most important bridges in bait. My energy is going to be here helpingcommunities. Centring IndigenousCanada today. Armed with over a quarter to educate people. women brought a big change incentury of legal expertise and a critical Shes also pragmatic about her reach.perspective, simply paraphrased bymind, her work has exposed ongoing Will I ever have millions and millions ofPalmater that, We need to care aboutsystemic injustice, amplified Indigenous people on the ground and what ourwomens voices and fostered collective followers? Probably not. Im okay with thatconditions are. action. Her voice has and will continue because I feel like the people who followto be a guide and catalyst pushing me are looking to me for information,Palmater also emphasizes the importanceCanada towards accountability, truth and not drama. of rejecting perfection in advocacy, andmeaningful change. Iron Workers Local 786705-674-6903IW786.comPARTNER WITH US FOR YOUR Serving FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS! Indigenous Families in the Nbisiing PUBLISHING DIGITAL ADVERTISING TerritoryRobert Thompson, Senior Vice Presidentktigaaningmidwives.comrobertt@mediaedge.caOntario Native Womens Association45'