Colonization and sexual violence share a common theme in that they both are dehumanizing in that they aspire to conquest and dominate people in order to gain power over them (Deer, 2004, p 131). I find this a hard topic to discuss often because it is one of those topics that make the soul uneasy we know that it happens but any attempt at a justification of why it happens can never make it right.
In class we learned about the traditional views of Anishnaabe people and how they believe that humans are inherently good and there is a sense of collectively responsibility for the health and well being of the society, sexual violence goes against this core set of beliefs. While I was researching I also drew many similarities within my country’s colonization and the colonization Anishnaabe people particularly the use of “sexual assault as weapon against indigenous peoples and how it is deeply imbedded in the history of imperialism and domination” (Deer, 2004, p128).
Traditionally Anishnaabe women had full control over their bodies and sexual choices, sexual violence rarely occurred, “evidence lies in both the experience of native women prior to contact as well as the behavior of Native men, as recorded by European explorers, settlers and traders” (Deer, 2004, p129). Acts of sexual violence did not happen and were severely punished if it occurred, “Europeans who wrote disparagingly about native people noted that native people abhorred sexual violence” (Deer 2004, p130). It wasn’t until the conquest that sexual assault and violence became a problem. Much like the other places that were colonized the indigenous women were used as a source of sexual enjoyment for the European men, this was an unwritten but generally accepted rule (Barman, 1998, p240).
In trying to understand the stories and experiences of the Anishaabe people prior to colonization I found pieces of my own history and the relationship of colonization on an indigenous community. I will think about the many families and communities that suffered and are still suffering the effects of sexual violence as a tool of colonization.
Hoda
Barman, Jean.(1998/1999). Taming Aboriginal Sexuality: Gender, Power and Race in Britsh Columbia, 1850 -1900, BC STUDIES, no.115/116, p 237-266.
Deer, Sarah. (2004). Towards an Indigenous Jurisprudence of Rape. Faculty Scholarship, p121-154.
I agree that sexual violence is a touchy subject, and is never an enjoyable topic to discuss. I am hoping that all communities can soon be cleared of this horrible event. I know the healing process is long and difficult, but I hope there are people who will help and encourage those in need.
ReplyDelete-Amy
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment i feel like I learned a lot when I writing this post. The difference is view about women pre-contact and the way in which sexual abuse was treated as a means of conquering is a negative side we often do not get to hear about. I feel as those many indigenous peoples who have faced colonization also share similar past and recognizing and understanding our histories, traditions and stories can be a start to the healing process.
Hoda