KIZHAAY ANISHINAABE NIIN
Is Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway language) for “I am a kind man”, this phrase guides us in how to engage men to take action to end violence against Indigenous women.
7 GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS
RESPECT
Father and Son – Vince and Devan Kicknosway – Odawa Friendship Centre Community Members
To Honour All of Creation Is To Have Respect
LOVE
Amanda and Charles Slipperjack – Barrie community members
To Know Love Is To Know Peace
HUMILITY
Florence and Ernie Benedict – Community Elders
Humility is to Know Yourself as a Sacred Part of Creation
BRAVERY
Dakota Heon – Indigenous Community Youth Leader North Bay
Bravery Is To Face the Foe with Integrity
TRUTH
Ontario Friendship Centre Youth
Truth is to know all of the Seven Grandfather Teachings and to live by them
WISDOM
Joe Morrison – Elder
To Cherish Knowledge Is To Know Wisdom
HONESTY
Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Kizhaay Training Group
Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave
ABOUT US
All human beings deserve to live a life free from violence. Unfortunately, far too many people will experience violence in their life time. In Indigenous communities, across Canada, violence against Indigenous women has become normalized but occurs in epidemic proportions. Ending violence against Indigenous women requires the commitment of all of us, especially men to end violence in Canada.
We acknowledge patriarchy – where male dominance and male power privileges men over women – as an important cause of violence against women. We also see the strong connection between colonization and violence against Indigenous women. Many non-Indigenous anti-violence movements do not talk about this connection. Understanding violence against Indigenous women means dispelling the view that patriarchy is the sole and/or dominant causing factor in violence against women.
The statistics below show the number of Indigenous women who are affected by violence in Canada in relation to non-Indigneous women.
“Consequent to colonization, forced assimilation, and cultural genocide, the learned negative, cumulative, multi-generational actions, values, beliefs, attitudes and behavioural patterns practiced by one or more people that weaken or destroy the harmony and well-being of an Indigenous individual, family, extended family, community or nationhood.”
The statistics to the right are from the 2014 RCMP Operational Review on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
In 2014, the OFIFC responded to the RCMP Operational Review on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada. Please see the news release and response by clicking below.SOME SERIOUS FACTS TO CONSIDER
ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN
4.8%-4.9% | The 2016 Census data demonstrates that of the Canadian population, Indigenous men account for 4.8% and Indigenous women account for 4.9% across all age categories. |
27% | In 2018, 27% of female homicide victims in Canada were Indigenous women. |
60% | Indigenous women are more than three times as likely than non-Indigenous women (10% vs. 3%) to experience spousal violence – 60% of those Indigenous women who experienced spousal violence reported experiencing what is referred to as the most severe forms (having been sexually assaulted, beaten, choked or threatened with a gun or knife) versus 32% of non-Indigenous women. |
28% | In 2017/18, Indigenous men made up 28% of male admissions to custody in Canada. |
2007 – 2017 | From 2007/08 to 2017/18, the rate of Indigenous men in Provincial/Territorial custody and Federal custody both rose by 28%; whereas the rate of non-Indigenous men in Provincial/Territorial custody decreased by 17% and in Federal custody decreased by 25%. |
CHALLENGING VALUES
ATTITUDES, BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOURS
Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin – I am a Kind Man acknowledges that sexism and male privilege are contributing factors to the prevalence of violence against Indigenous women. There are obvious examples of sexism directed at women in everyday life such as being told they are unable to do something because they are a woman, or being told “this is a man’s job”. Commenting on a woman’s appearance, although men may be intending it as a compliment, can also be received as sexism and harassment.
All men have different gifts and different abilities. There is no single set of characteristics that make up what a real man is or what a real man should be. Traditionally, Indigenous men had roles and responsibilities to serve in and participate in creating and maintaining healthy and sustainable communities. Our society is ever changing and our daily lives are constantly evolving. Yet these traditional roles and responsibilities are still important for Indigenous men today.
Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin – I am a Kind Man strongly supports healthy sexuality and the inclusion of people from all gender and sexual identities including those who identify with an LGBTTIQQ2SAPA community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited, Asexual, PanSexual, and Allies). In order to become healthy men in our communities we must respect the identities of all individuals.
As Indigenous men we know that we all come from diverse backgrounds. There are many different Indigenous Nations and languages in Canada, all with differing practices and traditions. Traditionally both men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities were treated as equally important. Today we must recognize that both men and women can share the same responsibilities, so long as they create balance and a healthy community. The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin – I am a Kind Man campaign does not privilege the knowledge of men over women. Just because something is traditional or a long standing practice, does not mean it is correct. Openness to change is important to a healthy Indigenous man’s identity. Sometimes it takes courage to create change.
Kind men respect and honour women. Kind men respect and honour men. Kind men respect all that is sacred.
Joseph Morrison
Elder
As a young Indigenous man in Ontario I speak out against violence towards women in Indigenous communities. My vision is to create healthy communities where women and children are safe and respected.
Dakota Heon
Indigenous Community Youth Leader
When a man chooses to use violence towards a woman he is dispiriting her. He is changing the very spirit she entered the world as.
Pauline Shirt
Elder Advisor to I am a Kind Man
HEALING MEN
The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin – I am a Kind Man campaign does not privilege one man’s identity over another. The campaign is for all Indigenous men regardless of their skin colour, status, place of birth, where they were raised, or their nation.
20 YEARS OF INDIGENOUS HEALING AND WELLNESS IN ONTARIO
Since its inception in 1994 and over the course of 20 years of service delivery, the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) has contributed to significant change in negative health outcomes and levels of family violence experienced within Indigenous families and communities in Ontario. The strategy finds its origins as a shared commitment between the Government of Ontario and First Nation, Metis and Indigenous partners working alongside of Indigenous communities in ending family violence, violence perpetrated against Indigenous women and children, and improving the general health and wellness of Indigenous people in Ontario. The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy esteems Indigenous cultural approaches to program and service delivery and continues its ongoing commitment to end violence and improve overall health outcomes within Indigenous families and communities into the current day. The AHWS 20th Anniversary video commemorates the collective history, growth and accomplishments of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in Ontario.
TAKING ACTION
The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin – I am a Kind Man campaign is a step towards returning to our traditional teachings, respect for each other, and a chance for us to envision a world free of violence.
CONTACT US
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
219 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1E8
* Please be advised that Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin is a program and training process of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. The OFIFC provides all training and recognition. All trainers and training sessions must have prior approval by the OFIFC, and the intellectual property of the OFIFC must be acknowledged.
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