This text is part of the special issue of Relève en recherche
With her master’s project, a student from the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and winner of a scholarship in memory of Joyce Echaquan wishes to highlight the role of the Crees in the process of healing and reconciliation.
Linda L. Shecapio seems to embody her research subject well. Originally from the Cree Nation of Mistissini and still living on the territory, she is an independent Aboriginal consultant, elected councilor for the community of Mistissini, entrepreneur, mother and grandmother and, years after completing a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in political science , she is pursuing a master’s degree in Native studies at UQAT. Motivated to advance Indigenous issues for future generations, she is also an agent of change. And she is far from the only one.
“Many women have taken the initiative to heal the wounds of colonization, to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma, to find solutions to the current socio-cultural challenges of our communities,” she says.
Indigenous women are respected within communities for giving life, educating future generations and defending life, says Ms.me L. Shecapio, speaking of the preponderant role of women in indigenous communities. But their role is much more invisible in activism and politics, adds the one who is however delighted with a better representation of women in the band councils. “Behind the activists, there are women who motivate and mobilize them, but who are not recognized,” she says, giving as an example the women who founded the protest movement Idle No More in 2012.
“Western societies are based on patriarchy, while our traditional communities are matriarchal,” says Ms.me L. Shecapio. According to her, however, colonization has led to a great imbalance in gender relations. “Indigenous women have not been invited to the tables [de décision] to participate in the elaboration of the structure of the system. »
“We women absolutely must regain and occupy our rightful place as equal partners in our societies,” argues the woman who turned to academia to help achieve this goal. As an Indigenous woman, I needed to do something for the legacy I want to leave for my granddaughters and future generations. I wanted to go back to school and find ways to better position our people in the big world. »
Emancipation through research
Through her study project, Linda L. Shecapio wants to highlight the role of the Crees in the healing and well-being of their community. For her, it is a way of recognizing and making visible the contribution of women while indicating possible solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. According to her, taking this approach in the university sphere also makes it possible to create bridges of understanding and communication between nations.
“We need to tap into Western and traditional knowledge systems to work better together on the subject of reconciliation. How do we position aboriginal women so that we can contribute to society? We too have answers [aux défis d’aujourd’hui]. How can we better collaborate and make this place a better place to live? »
This last question is, moreover, very topical in the province. In September 2020, Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw, died at the Joliette hospital shortly after being riddled with insults from the facility’s medical staff, sparking debate in the province about the presence of systemic racism against Aboriginal people.
“It could have been me, my sister, my niece,” exclaims Linda L. Shecapio, who holds a second scholarship in memory of Joyce Echaquan awarded by the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the National Institute for Scientific Research and the Quebec Research Funds. “I want to focus on my people, so that we can better emancipate ourselves, regain power, build ourselves better. »
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