Indigenous Women and the RCIADIC: Part II
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Author(s)
Marchetti, Elena
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2008
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In this paper, I explain why the (previous) inquiry itself did not focus more on the problems concerning Indigenous women. The explanation relies on interview data collected from 48 people who either worked in the six main offices of the RCIADIC and Aboriginal Issues Units ('AIUs') established for the inquiry, or who were involved in some other capacity with the RCIADIC. It is important to consider the reasons why the problems confronting Indigenous women were not fully explored by the RCIADIC inquiry since it informs future inquiries into race-related problems. Many of the inquiries and studies which delve into the lives ...
View more >In this paper, I explain why the (previous) inquiry itself did not focus more on the problems concerning Indigenous women. The explanation relies on interview data collected from 48 people who either worked in the six main offices of the RCIADIC and Aboriginal Issues Units ('AIUs') established for the inquiry, or who were involved in some other capacity with the RCIADIC. It is important to consider the reasons why the problems confronting Indigenous women were not fully explored by the RCIADIC inquiry since it informs future inquiries into race-related problems. Many of the inquiries and studies which delve into the lives of Indigenous people are headed by non-Indigenous people who continue to view Indigenous communities as homogeneous; that is, they fail to consider the different experiences of Indigenous men and women. The studies conducted often make recommendations for the whole community rather than specific groups within those communities, and are based on consultations with various individuals without consciously identifying the need to classify perspectives and experiences according to categories such as gender. This may lead to recommendations that are not suited to all members of that community. As Judy Atkinson notes, without a race and gender analysis, any solutions offered will 'only create venues for further oppression, of both Aboriginal men, and women'.
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View more >In this paper, I explain why the (previous) inquiry itself did not focus more on the problems concerning Indigenous women. The explanation relies on interview data collected from 48 people who either worked in the six main offices of the RCIADIC and Aboriginal Issues Units ('AIUs') established for the inquiry, or who were involved in some other capacity with the RCIADIC. It is important to consider the reasons why the problems confronting Indigenous women were not fully explored by the RCIADIC inquiry since it informs future inquiries into race-related problems. Many of the inquiries and studies which delve into the lives of Indigenous people are headed by non-Indigenous people who continue to view Indigenous communities as homogeneous; that is, they fail to consider the different experiences of Indigenous men and women. The studies conducted often make recommendations for the whole community rather than specific groups within those communities, and are based on consultations with various individuals without consciously identifying the need to classify perspectives and experiences according to categories such as gender. This may lead to recommendations that are not suited to all members of that community. As Judy Atkinson notes, without a race and gender analysis, any solutions offered will 'only create venues for further oppression, of both Aboriginal men, and women'.
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Journal Title
Indigenous Law Bulletin
Volume
7
Issue
2
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2008 Indigenous Law Centre and the author. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. For information about this journal please refer to the journal's website or contact the author.
Subject
Policy and Administration
Law