Uniting Humanity through Indigenous Leadership: Empowering Indigenous Women for Global Impact
Community Story Results Generated by Indigenous Women for developing the Four Worlds Empowerment Program for Indigenous Women and Mothers.
The following are the results generated by the Four Worlds Community Story participatory research process. This was taken utalizing the community-based participatory research process with Indigenous women in First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in Canada. References to the names of these communities have been removed. The data is shared with the permission of the communities.
These results are being utilized for redeveloping the Four Worlds Empowerment Program for Indigenous Women and Mothers. This Four Worlds Program was first piloted in Lethbridge with Indigenous women, primarily from the Blackfoot Confederacy. Your input and reflections on this draft are greatly appreciated!
The Four Worlds Global Impact Fund and the Four Worlds International Institute recognize the paramount importance of Indigenous, community-based leadership in creating a sustainable and harmonious future for all members of our Human Family.
Guided by the wisdom and principles of Indigenous cultures, Four Worlds celebrates and uplifts the role of Indigenous elders, leaders, and communities with profound respect for their knowledge and understanding of their ancestral heritage and the interconnectedness of all life.
The support of Indigenous women, mothers, infants, and children is at the core of the Fund's Community Healing and Transformation Model. Four Worlds integrates this fundamental understanding of this crucial role into all Goals and Objectives.
Indigenous women, the backbone of their families and communities, bring forth unique perspectives that intertwine tradition, wisdom, and nurturing care for future generations. The Four Worlds is dedicated to amplifying their voices and ensuring they are given equal opportunities to lead and shape the vision of a New Civilization.
With Indigenous women and Allies of our Human Family at the forefront, we can forge a world that cherishes diversity, embraces interconnectedness, and fosters a harmonious coexistence among all human family members. The Four Worlds Global Impact Fund is deeply committed to amplifying Indigenous leadership and ensuring. Indigenous women's contributions are celebrated and respected on this transformative journey toward a better world.
Community Story, Participatory Research Process Results, Generated by the Theme "Women"
Introduction: Traditionally, women played a critical role in (any people) Indigenous communities and still have a vital role in building a healthy future for the people. However, some concerns and issues need to be addressed for women to live up to that role.
Although some very positive things are happening and some strong women's leaders are making a big contribution to community life, the community (anyplace) also faces some challenges that must be overcome. The following section describes some of these challenges. It also suggests a simple plan for working with those challenges positively, which will improve the quality of life for women and their families.
The Present Situation
Women’s Community Story workshop participants identified six major themes that can be used to describe the present situation for women in that community. These themes summarize what the participants felt were the major needs and issues facing women. They felt that these concerns and issues needed to be described so they could be worked on in a united way. The workshop participants also identified some resources and assets that already exist in the community and can be built on to improve the situation for women and their families.
1., The Need for Building a Network of Support
1.1 Women (everywhere) need a support network that will provide opportunities for personal growth and healing from all forms of abuse. Both physical and sexual abuse of women is occurring, and there is very little help to deal with these problems. Women often don't report abuse because they feel ashamed and are to blame. There is no women's center or shelter, and women's societies are inactive. Many women are not aware of those programs which do exist to help them.
1.2 More women drink and use drugs than before, especially young women. Finding a young woman who hasn't partied a lot is hard. Life is shorter. You've lived a full life if you are over twenty-seven years old.
1.3 Women also need opportunities to learn--to gain new information and skills in a supportive environment. One important area in which learning needs to occur is gender issues. Some of the important issues in this regard are how to build healthy relationships with men and how to handle situations in which men are behaving in ways that are not acceptable.
1.4 A women's support network can also be effective in helping women assume more political, economic, and social influence in the community because it will help them gain a greater level of unity. It can also help women find ways to care for special needs, like the lack of appropriate child care in the community.
1.5 A women's support network could include support groups, women's societies, and women's shelters. These opportunities must be open to all women, regardless of age, cultural background, or life circumstances.
2. The Special Needs of Single Mothers
2.1 The participants at the workshop estimated that up to eighty percent of the households in the community are headed by single mothers or by women who are bearing most of the burden of caring for their families (i.e., households in which the father and extended family are not sharing the load of caring for the children and the home). Many couples are unmarried, and there is no real, lasting commitment. Women are trying to take on both the mother and the father roles. Very few male relatives are willing to actively guide the children and ensure the mother's needs are met.
2.2 In many instances, these women are living in poverty. They are either unemployed or are spending a high proportion of their income on childcare costs. Many of these women have low levels of education and little or no training, which will assist them in finding employment. Few training opportunities exist, and many obstacles make it difficult for young mothers to attend school. Each year the existing programs are short of student materials and resources.
2.3 Due to these circumstances, many women in (anyplace), especially young mothers, suffer from low self-esteem and are involved with alcohol and/or other drugs. They have not received training in parenting skills. Presently there is very little support and assistance for these women.\
3. The Special Needs of Elder Women
3.1 Elder women are another group that has special needs.
They need support from family and friends and contact with others to meet their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. But many of them are not receiving this support. They are relatively isolated. They may live quite a distance from other people and not have access to transportation to visit their friends and neighbors. Some may also be handicapped, making it even more difficult to get around. Others may live in foster care that does not always meet their needs.
3.2 Elder women have often experienced drastic changes in their lifetime and suffered the loss of family and friends. They may not have received much assistance in dealing with loss and change's psychological and mental effects.
4. Poverty
4.1 It is clear from the above discussion that too many women (everywhere) suffer from poverty. When women are isolated and do not have the family support they need to care for their children and homes, they are often also poor. Poverty especially affects single women and the elderly.
4.2 With low training, education, and employment levels, women find it hard to meet their basic health needs and those of their families. They may not be able to afford the cost of other important expenses (such as the fees for school field trips or recreation).
The welfare system has become a type of trap for those women without family support or employment, which leaves them feeling helpless and unproductive. Even those women with jobs are often poor since they do not have the skills or opportunities to work in jobs that pay more than the minimum wage.
4.3 Poverty creates tremendous stress for women. hey are under pressure to get work and to find affordable, good-quality daycare for their children. hey have a twenty-four-hour-a-day, lifetime job of raising their children, and now they also need to work to support the family financially.
5. Women's Health Needs
5.1 Women in (anyplace) have some specific health needs. any have low levels of physical fitness, and not all women have a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs.
5.2 High levels of substance abuse exist among women and their family members. elated health problems for women include depression and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). ome children in the community have also been affected by the mother drinking during pregnancy (FAS and FAE).
6. The Lack of a Sense of Purpose, Role, or Direction
6.1 Because of the rapid changes experienced by the people of (anyplace), some women do not feel a clear sense of purpose. the traditional roles women play in society do not seem to fit anymore, but no other appropriate alternative has been found either. n some instances, women's role in the community is not respected and valued by the community.
6.2 As a result, some women suffer from low self-esteem and poor self-image. his can be reflected in the lack of care and dignity in presenting themselves publicly. ome young women are morally looser than in the past, making it difficult to respect them.
6.3 Also, many traditional knowledge and skills women use to play valuable roles in their families and communities are being forgotten. his makes it difficult for women to support each other effectively or work out their roles in family and community life. Without a strong foundation from the past to build on, they are having trouble finding a clear sense of purpose and direction for the present and the future. omen in (anyplace) need to reclaim their traditional cultural knowledge and to use it to build a healthy future.
7.Family Breakdown
7.1 Many of the issues described above result from a breakdown of the basic family unit. Because women do not have the support of a strong extended family, they must carry too much of the burden of caring for the household. hey are under tremendous economic pressure and feel the effects of increasing poverty. Religious disunity is also contributing to the breakdown of the extended family. t is a major issue that needs to be addressed for the social and economic conditions in the community to improve.
8.Existing Strengths Which Can be Built On
8.1 The community of (anyplace) already has resources that can be used to improve the situation for women. Meeting places which can be used for women's support groups or learning activities are available. ome strong women leaders in the community are working hard to make a difference. The community also has many cultural resources that women can draw on to explore traditional skills and knowledge in the light of today's world and to rediscover a clear sense of purpose and direction.
8.2 The community of (anyplace) also has some professional resources (such as social service agencies) which are mandated to serve the needs of women and their families. The Peacemakers Program is another valuable resource for building and maintaining family unity and strengthening the partnership between women and men in family and community life.
What Can Be Learned from the Past to Build a Healthy Future
9.1 The participants at the (anyplace) Community Story workshop felt that in the past, women played the most important role in that group's history. hey had a strong and valued role in their families and community.
9.2 Among the (any people), society was somewhat matriarchal. n a sense, women were considered the fire, the head of the household. hen a woman got married, the man came to her household. n terms of an economic role in the family, women had a strong role in terms of taking care of the sheep, shearing and dying the wool, and doing the weaving.
9.3 When girls were growing up, the whole family took an active role in their upbringing. The grandparents were the authority, and aunts and uncles were the disciplinarians. Parents didn't set the rules. Girls and young women were educated and counseled about their roles. hey had strong role models.
9.4 Marriages were arranged, and women were taught to stay with their husbands. eople lived in bands, and the way of life was nomadic. Because of intermarriage, there was a mingling between the bands.
9.5 In the past, abuse occurred in some families. There was, however, a process to deal with this problem. amily representatives and witnesses came together to talk about what had happened and to help the family restore harmony.
9.6 After (a particular event in this community's history), many things fell apart. traditional codes and beliefs were oral, and many were lost then. There are still pockets of (any people) elders who know the codes, but now you have to go "underground" to find the sacred, historical code of the people.
What Would Life Be Like in a Healthy Future?
10.1 men and women will take more responsibility for their lives in a healthy future. Strong moral values would guide them.
10.2 women would take good care of themselves and develop healthy, positive self-esteem to be strong. hey would use traditional spiritual practices in the morning and any time during the day to meditate and help them become psychologically strong and self-reflective. They would also combine traditional methods with alternative health practitioners (such as chiropractors) to stay healthy physically. They would control their drinking.
10.3 women would be much more involved in social, economic, political, and cultural life in a healthy community. They would become better informed and participate actively in Chapter meetings. They would also be much more involved in all departments and agencies to ensure they meet the real needs of all women and their families. omen need to help the agencies become better organized and make presentations at the Chapter House to help the Chapters get the training they need and to make decisions based on social needs (such as the youth).
10.4 In a positive future, the sovereignty of the (any people) people would be stronger. The People would govern the education system. Both grandparents and men would be involved in childcare facilities to help give the children a balanced, healthy, and culturally strong start in life.
The Community would use the media (e.g., radio, television, internet) to educate the people on issues that promote human and community development and to communicate important information and news.
10.5 Women would have a strong support and self-help system. They would have a women's centre where they could gather to discuss the issues affecting them and participate in self-help groups. The center would be in a good location (not remote) and offer ongoing (continuous) programs and help. omen's activities and meetings would be open to all women, and the remote, rural women would be given special encouragement and help to be involved.
A facilitator would be invited to help the women get organized through an initial meeting. Follow-up meetings would be held to ensure the momentum isn't lost.
10.6 In a healthy (anyplace), whole families would be much more involved in raising the children. Families would have opportunities to learn how to be stronger. eople would understand that it takes sacrifice to make a change. Parents would understand that programs designed to help children and families are not "free." They must invest their time and energy in them to make them successful.
First Steps Which Need to be Taken
The participants of the (anyplace) Community Story workshops and the women's meetings agreed that the following steps must be taken for women to improve and for women's and family life programs to be effective.
1. Establish a Foundation of Unity
11.1 It was agreed that women must begin reaching out to each other, especially those most isolated, because of geographic distance, poverty, and other social problems (such as substance abuse). They must overcome the fear of rumors and criticism by unifying and establishing a clear ethical behavior code. The grudges between women from different families or within the same family must be resolved and left behind.
11.2 Women need to learn how to organize and establish a foundation of unity. The barriers between working and professional women and those dependent on welfare or other financial assistance must be overcome.
2. Build up a Team of Resource People for Women's Development
12.1 A good starting point would be to hold a one-day session for women leaders. omen who serve as community resource people (e.g., volunteers or staff in social service, education, or health agencies) and the "natural" leaders around whom other women gather would all be invited to attend. f appropriate, some special resource people from outside the community could be invited to help facilitate this meeting.
12.2 This session would have three purposes:
a) to give the women who attend an opportunity to build up their own support network by sharing with each other in a supportive, confidential environment;
b)to provide some basic training in techniques for running successful support groups and talking circles; and
c)to make a simple plan for helping the participants to start support groups and/or talking (healing) circles with the women with whom they have contact (through their jobs or volunteer work or family and friendship ties).
12.3 This same group of women would meet periodically (every few months) to discuss their efforts' success, receive more leadership training, and continue to support each other in a like-minded group of women.
3. Establish a Network of Women's Support Groups
13.1 Following up on the plan developed in step #2 above, as many small women's support groups as possible would be established all over the Reservation. hese groups would meet regularly to provide an opportunity for women to meet with each other in a supportive and confidential environment.
13.2 The groups could also offer some basic skills training (e.g., in self-care strategies, parenting skills, or in crafts). ver time the groups could also evolve into taking more direct social action or taking on economic development ventures. he primary emphasis of these small groups, however, is the personal development and healing of the participants as well as the establishment of a strong sense of sisterhood and support among women.
13.3 If appropriate, these support groups could evolve into women's societies that would participate in activities and be governed by a code of ethics similar to the ones which existed in the past.
13.4 Special efforts must be made to reach out to the most needy, isolated women. his can be done through the service providers who have contact with them, through personal invitations, through the media, and through notices in stores, the post office, and the schools.
4. Hold Larger Quarterly Women's Activities
14.1 Once every quarter (or so), the women participating in these smaller support groups would be invited to participate in a larger women's program (e.g., an afternoon, day-long, or weekend) workshop. These larger sessions would be an opportunity to receive training on specific issues which face women, to recover traditional knowledge and skills, to meet women from all across the Reservation, and to make plans for larger social, cultural, or economic projects.
5. Establish a Women's Resource Center and Women's Programs to Meet Specific Needs
15.1 Some specific women's programs are needed, Besides a network of women's support groups in all parts of the Reservation. An example of this program could be parenting skills training for young girls or a transportation service for elderly women. The nature of these programs should arise out of participatory consultation through the women's support groups and activities described above.
15.2 A women's resource center would be an ideal focal point for these activities and a place to collect and distribute resource materials. women's resource center could also serve as a location for experimental economic development projects designed to help women find ways to earn an income without putting too much pressure on themselves and their families.
6. Sharing Women's Needs and Concerns for Men and Other Family Members
16.1 Unless husbands, fathers, boyfriends, political leaders, and other males in the community understand the needs and concerns of women, they will not support their development efforts. s women become more unified and active in the community, and with respect to their personal development, resistance can come from men and even from other women.
This type of response can be anticipated and overcome through education, social and cultural activities which involve the whole community in better understanding and appreciating the role of women and the efforts they are making to improve themselves and their families.
Present Situation: The Need for Building a Network of Support:
Women lack a support network to deal with abuse (physical and sexual) due to shame and a lack of awareness of available help.
More women are turning to alcohol, particularly young women, leading to potential health and social issues.
Women need opportunities for personal growth and learning, particularly in gender issues and handling unacceptable behavior from men.
A strong women's support network can increase political, economic, and social influence and address issues like childcare.
The Special Needs of Single Mothers:
Up to 80% of households are headed by single mothers or women bearing most caregiving responsibilities.
Many of these women face poverty, unemployment, and obstacles in accessing education and training.
The circumstances can lead to low self-esteem, substance abuse, and a lack of support and assistance.
The Special Needs of Elder Women:
Elder women need more support from family and friends and face isolation due to distance and lack of transportation.
Losing family and friends and inadequate psychological assistance affect their mental and emotional well-being.
Poverty:
Many women, especially single mothers and the elderly, suffer from poverty.
Limited education and employment opportunities make it hard for women to meet their basic health and family needs.
Poverty creates significant stress, especially for working mothers with the additional burden of supporting their families.
Women's Health Needs:
Women in the community have specific health needs, including low physical fitness and an imbalanced diet.
Substance abuse, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are prevalent among women and their families.
The Lack of a Sense of Purpose, Role, or Direction:
Rapid societal changes have left some women lacking purpose and direction in life.
Traditional roles may no longer fit, leading to low self-esteem and a decline in traditional knowledge and skills.
Family Breakdown:
A breakdown of the basic family unit contributes to the challenges faced by women, particularly the lack of support.
Religious disunity also impacts the extended family's cohesiveness and support.
Existing Strengths and Past Lessons:
The community already possesses resources like meeting places and strong women leaders.
Women played essential roles in the past, and their traditional knowledge and skills were highly valued.
Healthy Future Vision:
Men and women take responsibility for their lives based on strong moral values.
Women prioritize self-care, utilizing traditional spiritual practices, and seeking alternative health approaches.
Women actively participate in various aspects of community life, gaining information and influencing decision-making.
The community's sovereignty is strengthened, with grandparents and men participating in childcare.
A strong support and self-help system is established, including a women's center open to all women.
Whole families are involved in raising children, with opportunities for learning and growth.
First Steps to be Taken:
Establish a Foundation of Unity:
Overcome fear and grudges among women and build a clear ethical behavior code.
Bridge the gap between working and welfare-dependent women.
Build up a Team of Resource People for Women's Development.
Hold a one-day session for women leaders, providing training and support.
Meet periodically to evaluate progress and provide leadership training.
Establish a Network of Women's Support Groups:
Create small support groups all over the community, focusing on personal development and healing.
Reach out to isolated women and encourage their participation.
Hold Larger Quarterly Women's Activities:
Organize larger workshops for women to receive training, recover traditional knowledge, and plan initiatives.
Establish a Women's Resource Center and Women's Programs:
Develop specific women's programs based on participatory consultation through support groups.
Establish a resource center to collect and distribute materials and explore economic development projects.
Education for Men and Other Family Members:
Educate men and other family members on the needs and concerns of women.
Foster understanding and support for women's development efforts throughout the community.
Four Worlds Empowerment Program for Indigenous Women and Mothers
Program Goals:
Enhance the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous women, mothers, and children, particularly addressing child poverty rates.
Empower Indigenous women to become leaders and decision-makers within their communities and beyond.
Strengthen cultural identity and traditional knowledge to foster resilience and pride among Indigenous women, mothers, and children.
Increase access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for Indigenous women and mothers to support their families well-being.
Facilitate community-based solutions that align with Indigenous communities' unique needs and aspirations.
Program Components:
Culturally Relevant Education and Early Childhood Development:
Develop and implement culturally appropriate curricula incorporating Indigenous knowledge, language, and history into educational programs for children.
Offer parenting support workshops and resources to empower Indigenous mothers in providing holistic care for their children's early development.
Healthcare Access and Support:
Establish culturally sensitive healthcare services that address Indigenous women and children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Introduce trauma-informed care practices and mental health support to address the impact of historical and ongoing traumas.
Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship:
Provide skill development and training programs tailored to the needs of Indigenous women, focusing on employability and entrepreneurship.
Offer microfinance initiatives and mentorship programs to support Indigenous women in starting and sustaining their businesses.
Strengthening Social Support Systems:
Facilitate community healing circles led by elders to promote healing, resilience, and reconciliation within Indigenous communities.
Create supportive housing and safe spaces for Indigenous women and children facing challenging circumstances.
Cultural Revitalization and Traditional Knowledge:
Implement language and cultural education programs to preserve and pass traditional knowledge and customs to future generations.
Promote land-based learning experiences that connect Indigenous women and children to their ancestral lands and cultural heritage.
Self-Determination and Collaboration:
Empower Indigenous communities to take charge of program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Partner with government agencies, Indigenous organizations, non-profit groups, and the private sector to amplify program impact and resource-sharing.
Program Implementation:
Conduct in-depth consultations with Indigenous communities via the community-based, participatory research process utilized in the Four Worlds Community Story Framework to understand the unique needs, challenges, and aspirations of Indigenous Women, Mothers, and Children.
Recruit and train program staff with a deep understanding of Indigenous cultures and the Four Worlds Indigenous model.
Develop culturally sensitive program materials and resources that are accessible and relevant to Indigenous women, mothers, and children.
Establish community-led advisory councils to guide program activities and ensure cultural authenticity and inclusivity.
Facilitate regular program evaluations to monitor progress, identify areas of improvement, and celebrate successes.
