Aboriginal - Girls Action Foundation

24 Elizabeth Zarpa
By Elizabeth Zarpa
When you have an understanding of how something could work more effectively,
but don’t practice what you understand, then what good is it to have that
knowledge? A leader not only understands, but also practices what they know. They
lead by example. They don’t wait to see who will follow their guidance rather they lead
their own lives with integrity. Not waiting on others for their external approval, but
listening to their own intuition for guidance. Doing this does not mean that you are tied
to a certain gender or ethnicity. Any willing person is capable of taking a leadership role.
But the focus of this essay will be on what it means to be an Indigenous woman taking a
leadership role in Canada.
Canada is one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world. Its two national
languages are English and French, but behind those two languages lay hundreds more.
The population speaks Inuktitut, Innu, Cree, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, etc. People come
from all directions of the world to live and prosper here. But to Aboriginal people this
is our home, we were here first. We are Indigenous to this land. Yet, despite this reality
it is difficult to find our voice amongst all the others who have integrated here. Other
people find themselves in similar situations as we do. They want good education and
good health care for their families. They desire the best for themselves as we do too. We
all want and deserve access to good health care services, education and employment for
our families, but it doesn’t mean we will have it. Those who will access these government
funded services are the ones who understand what we need and are vocal about it. It is
the ones who have voice that have influence in shaping the world we are surrounded by.
In Canada the voices are coming from many different people, so it remains important
that Aboriginal women whether First Nations, Inuit or Métis have a good understanding
of where they come from. Their heritage, cultural customs and language are all
important aspects of their Aboriginal identity. When they lose these parts of themselves
then they begin to lose parts of who they are as Aboriginal people; then they begin to
lose their voice. The role of a leader is to help revive and empower the cultural customs
of our ancestors. Inuit women who have helped empower me are Jennie Williams, Tanya
Mesher, Mary Simon, Dorthy Mesher and Janice Grey to name a few. Their love of being