Thunderbird Women. Indigenous women reclaiming autonomy through stories of resistance

Abstract

Abstract Indigenous gender roles have been altered by colonialism through both institutionalized patriarchy and the loss of matrilineal cultural traditions. In Canada, the introduction of the Indian Act and other culturally restrictive laws has had particular impact on Indigenous gender relations. In spite of this, Indigenous women are stepping forward to address the limits and damages of repeating cycles of patriarchy in Indigenous institutions. Research and work done by Indigenous women reflects upon Indigenous feminism and the agency of Indigenous women in their communities. In Saskatchewan Canada or Treaty 4 land, where this research is geographically situated, Indigenous women have a long history of agency through storytelling, such as Maria Campbell, Lee Maracle, and Leanne Simpson. The name of this thesis, and the inspiration to create more space for Indigenous women’s stories, is the Indigenous myth of Thunderbird Woman, who represents female strength and creation. Thunderbird Woman is a woman who falls in love with a Thunderbird and they get married. She lays eggs made of stone, and the myth states that one day the baby Thunderbirds will hatch and save the world. This thesis investigates the significance in supporting Indigenous women’s voices and the benefit of providing space for storytelling in research methodologies. As such, it reflects upon defining feminisms and maintaining space for Indigenous agency in knowledge production and cultural identity, using autoethnography as part of an Indigenous methodology. My methodology is built upon listening, participating and communicating, in addition to observation and document analysis among and together with Indigenous women in Saskatchewan. The teachings of the Cree medicine wheel (the four directions) inform the Indigenous research paradigm I have designed and use here. My version of the research paradigm includes Indigenous feminist perspectives in Saskatchewan and how they create space for Indigenous women to positively impact their communities through leadership, education and reclaiming cultural traditions. The women I spoke with possess a vast amount of knowledge and knowing. In this respect, speaking to these women reminded me of my role as student and as someone seeking knowledge. As Linda T. Smith explains, “indigenous research is a humble and humbling activity” (L. T. Smith 2012, 5). These words are a constant reminder of the importance of reflecting, as well as researching. As we as Indigenous peoples become more confident in reclaiming our identities and cultures, we need more community-based definitions of Indigenous feminism and indigenizing knowledge production. Keywords: Indigenous women, storytelling, Indian Act, Canada, Indigenous methodology, colonial patriarchy, reclaiming, identity