Anti-Colonial Resources for Gender Justice Advocates
The following is a community-curated list of free resources - books, articles, blog posts, podcasts, webinars, and more - that recognize gender-based violence as a tool of the colonial project, and aim to decolonize the gender justice movement. While it may not be possible to decolonize all institutions; we invite gender justice advocates at community organizations and post-secondary institutions to read and engage with these resources, and strengthen/implement action plans that challenge colonial ideologies and address violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people.
On Indigiqueer & Two-Spirit Identities, & Gender as a Colonial Construct
Indigiqueer, an episode of the All My Relations podcast hosted by Matika Wilbur and Adrienne Keene, with guests Joshua Whitehead and Billy-Ray Belcourt
Smudge, Don't Judge: Assisting Trans and Two-Spirit Survivors of Violence, a collaboration with Monica Forrester of Maggie’s Sex Worker Action Project and Trans Pride Canada, is a collection of video resources geared to service providers and addresses the homophobia and transphobia that prevents many Indigenous people from reporting or seeking assistance.
Why We Need Gender Fluidity, a TED Talk by Nicholas Metcalf
Zaagi’diwin Inakinogewin | Love Law: A Policy Note For Protecting Two-Spirit, Non-Binary & Trans Indigenous Peoples, a Yellowhead policy brief by Fallon Simard
On Decolonization
Land Back: A Yellowhead Institute Red Paper, by Shiri Pasternak & Hayden King
The Decolonial Toolbox from Concordia University’s Office of Community Engagement, Mikana and the Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK
Whose land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization, a free volume edited by Peter McFarlane and Nicole Schabus (Editors) Writings by Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, Russell Diabo, Beverly Jacobs, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Arthur Manuel, Kanahus Manuel, Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour, Pamela Palmater, Shiri Pasternak, Nicole Schabus, Senator Murray Sinclair and Sharon Venne.
On Gender-Based & Sexual Violence as a Tool of Colonialism
Violence on the Land, Violence on Our Bodies, from Women's Earth Alliance & Native Youth Sexual Health Network
Decolonizing the Roots of Rape Culture: a podcast interview with Sarah Hunt
Gender-Based Violence Against Two Spirit/Indigiqueer People Learning Network & Knowledge Hub webinar from Percy Lezard
Anti-Colonial Approaches to Addressing GBV within Indigenous Communities: a Courage to Act webinar by Courtney Skye
A Mind Toward Consent Will Bring Us Closer to the Reconciliation We Seek, an op-ed by Aubrianna Snow for Muskrat Magazine
Stealing Children to Steal the Land episode of Intercepted podcast with Doreen and Kanahus Manuel of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, hosted by Naomi Klein
Is Consent Even Possible on Stolen Land? Learning Network & Knowledge Hub webinar from Seán Kinsella
Information on MMIWG2S+
Answering Calls to Justice: A National Action Plan on Ending Violence, by Courtney Skye for Yellowhead Institute
Not Just Another Case: When Your Loved One Has Gone Missing or Been Murdered, a film from No More Silence and Aboriginal Legal Services
Missing and Murdered podcast hosted by Connie Walker
Canada's Genocide: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women and Girls episode of Pal Palmater’s Warrior Life podcast
MMIWG2S+ and the Failure of Policing, a Yellowhead policy brief by Nickita Longman
Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People from Women of the Métis Nation
On Indigenous Women’s Resistance
Red Women Rising: Indigenous Survivors in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, by Carol Muree Martin & Harsha Walia, Downtown Eastside Women's Centre
Rooting Indigenous Feminist Resistance: the 3rd episode of the Possibility Seeds Podcast with Aubrianna Snow, Audrey Huntley, and Alannah Mckay
The Matriarch Movement podcast from Shayla Oulette Stonechild
Resources for Campus Organizers
Answering Calls for Justice within PSIs from the National Inquiry on MMIWG, a tool for Courage to Act also by Courtney Skye
Considerations for Meaningful Collaboration: A Conversation with Indigenous Elders Learning Network & Knowledge Hub toolkit and webinar with Elder Norma Jacobs, Elder Naulaq LeDrew and Elder Gloria Thomson
Membership Advisory: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2Spirit Final Report Calls for Justice Relevant to Student Organizations and Educational Sector from the Canadian Federation of Students
Beyond a Land Acknowledgement from Be the Peace Institute
Healing & Mental Health Supports for Indigenous Folks
Healing the Land is Healing Ourselves episode of the All My Relations podcast with guest Kim Smith
You Are Made of Medicine, A Mental Health Peer Support Manual for Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+, and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous youth, from the Native Youth Sexual Health Network
Tend to Your Wheel wellness session with Michelle Nieviadomy of Iskwew Health
Healing Our Ancestors, Ourselves and Our Communities: a Toolkit to Address Systemic Injustices in Sexual Violence Support Services by Natali Euale Montilla of Ikake Rising, in collaboration with the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres as part of their BIPOC Counsellors Coalition Building Project
Suggested Reference : Courage to Act. (2023, June). Anti-Colonial Resources for Gender Justice Advocates. Courage to Act. www.couragetoact.ca/blog/anti-colonial-resources