001 Introduction

Women’s eNews, the award-winning, global women’s news organization, is launching a new series, Indigenous Women Leaders Speak Out, which will tell of the originative work and lives of female leaders of Indigenous communities in both the US and Canada. This series will be led by Teresa Stack, President emeritus of The Nation, the oldest weekly publication in the US, who will serve as the series’ Lead Editor and Producer.

For far too long, Indigenous communities have been spoken for, or spoken at, and it is past time to hear from them in their own words.

Indigenous women face extraordinary challenges: they are exponentially more likely to be victims of physical and sexual violence, which is often unreported and perpetrators are rarely brought to justice. They also face disproportionate economic, political, health, and cultural deprivations stemming from the ongoing impact of colonialism. Too few people are aware, however, that Native American women are often in leadership roles in the fight for environmental concerns, cultural preservation, improving health and human services and respecting treaty and voting rights.  They also have a uniquely valued place in many Native American cultures that can help illuminate the paucity of settler culture’s respect for women’s special wisdom.

The Standing Rock protests that started in early 2016 helped to re-energize justice movements for Indigenous peoples, strengthening ties and creating new coalitions among U.S. tribes. The protests also attracted world-wide attention and forged bonds with international Indigenous movements. A new and formidable coalition has come together that is suffused with energy, creativity, spirit and determination to confront the atrocities of history, and the ongoing inequities of today, for Native people everywhere. It is also important to compare and contrast how other countries are supporting these communities, and we will be doing so first with Canada, a country that has shown a higher level of dedication and support to indigenous communities, particularly in recent years. Further, the timing of this series is particularly crucial due to the historic nomination of New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary of the US, making her the first Native American to lead the federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation’s tribes for generations.

The following issues will be discussed and explored:

*Urban Indian issues such as housing and social services

*The Indigenous Food Movement and decolonization of food pathways

*Native American women’s health Issues and access to care

*The Landback movement and the fight to honor treaties

*Impact of extractive industries on Native American communities and environmental issues like water rights

*Young radical groups such as Red Nation

*Native American ideas of kinship that view all living things as related and interdependent,

which can help everyone to better understand and confront the current climate crisis.

*Comparison of the support provided to Indigenous communities in the U.S. vs. Canada

The Q&A-style profiles will feature the voices of indigenous women of all ages whose work is influencing the safety, security, health and prosperity of their communities.

Questions will be posed by journalists who are also members of Indigenous communities.