The Role of Inuit Women in Politics

Ovilu Goo Doyle

It is essential that Inuit women be equally involved in, and responsible for, political development. Hence, we must work hard, both as individuals and in groups, to identify and eliminate the barriers that currently exist.

Inuit women's representation is still fairly limited, even though a number of major Inuit organizations have been headed by women for some years. For example, one woman is a member of the executive council in the Northwest Territories legislative assembly; another was elected for a second term as president of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference.

Generally, Inuit women hold less than 20 per cent of board and executive positions in such organizations. There is only one woman out of 12 voting members on the board of directors of the national Inuit organization-Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. This, of course, is far from acceptable, but linked to the fact that leadership was, first and foremost, introduced to the men, a precedent which is difficult to break through, despite the fact that many women are fully capable of assuming leadership positions.

It also relates to the disadvantages that women are, or have been, facing in the communities; for example, lack of child care and educational facilities, and pre-employment and employment opportunities. An increasing number of women cope with these obstacles by taking initiatives to minimize their number and effect in the communities, or by moving to centres where they are partly eliminated through greater access to service.

Inuit women have an intimate knowledge of the conditions in their communities. They have always been the doers and shapers of Inuit social affairs and the keepers of cultural values. This is clearly reflected in the tendency for women to be most closely involved in the educational, social, and health sectors. These are, in fact, areas with very large budgets and many responsibilities.

Women should become more visible participants in areas such as the negotiation of land claims and constitutional rights. These responsibilities, as well as the ability to speak and teach our children in Inuktitut are part of the preservation and enhancement of our distinct cultural identity, and they affect our lives directly.

Inuit organizations were instrumental in promoting the inclusion of an equality clause in the Canadian Constitution. However, this had very limited impact on the generally poor representation of women in local, regional, and national decision making bodies. Our organizations and governing structures are still male dominated, except in a few isolated cases. We had anticipated that the publicity surrounding the inclusion of an "equality clause" would bring about a change of attitude and positive action with regard to the representation of women.

According to prominent Inuit women leaders, one must be determined to break through the barrier created by a lack of self-confidence and the paternalistic attitudes which still prevail. To become equal, women must take on responsibility. Women often find that they must work much harder than their male counterparts to prove their capacities as politicians and to become influential in the modern way.

It is not always an easy task for women politicians to promote so-called women's 'issues, let alone to be engaged in politics. Despite the fact that such issues appear from time to time in election campaigns, they soon disappear from the agenda. Therefore, it is essential that we not only be critical when electing our leadership, but also show our women support.

Women are developing a greater awareness of political and bureaucratic procedures by questioning government initiatives and policies. But to drastically change the status quo there has to be a change of attitude. Inuit women must take steps to change their own attitudes about themselves-as well as the attitudes taken by many men who refuse to see us as equal partners in politics.

To ensure that the quality of life for Inuit women is taken into consideration in long-term political and economic planning, we must speak out and take action on our own behalf.

Ovilu Goo Doyle is the Secretary Treasurer of Pauktautit, the Inuit Women's Association of Canada.