economic security of inuit women inuit women as agents for change government of canada standing...

Economic Security of Inuit Women

Inuit Women as Agents for Change

Government of CanadaStanding Committee on the

Status of Women

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada www.pauktuutit.ca

About Pauktuutit• Established in 1984• National non-profit charitable

organization• Represents all Inuit women in

Canada

• Pauktuutit fosters greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, works for equity and social improvements, and encourages their participation in the community, regional and national life of Canada.

• Pauktuutit leads and supports Canadian Inuit women in policy development and community projects in all areas of interest to them.

Courtesy Avataq Institute – 1920

National Archives E002424742


Pauktuutit’s Activities• Equity for Inuit Women

• Health issues: Diabetes, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, Tobacco Reduction, sexual health, injury prevention…

• Early Childhood Development

• Economic Development

• Environment

• Abuse and Violence

• Housing Crisis

•Gender in Decision Making

• Caregivers

• International issues and the United Nations

• Justice and Corrections

• Midwifery, Maternal and Child health

• Children, Youth Issues


Social Issues ARE Economic Issues

• There are a few safe shelters in the North• Little in the way of alternative housing• There are increasing numbers of ‘hidden homeless’

and ‘couch surfers’ in northern communities

Rates of Women Admitted to Shelters forReasons of Abuse in April 2004 (rate per 100,000)

Measuring Violence Against Women Statistics Canada (2006: pp. 60)


Social and Economic IssuesHousing (2001)

• Overcrowding: 68% of homes in Nunavik54% of homes in Nunavut

• Need of Repair: 24% of houses in the North

• Poor conditions foster ill health and undermine the safety of Inuit women and their children.

• House designs are culturally inappropriate and do not reflect Inuit needs.


Social and Economic IssuesEducation• Almost 58% of adult Inuit have not completed high school.• Only 25 students entering kindergarten will complete

grade 12.

Income• Inuit earn up to 20% less than the Canadian average.• Inuit women earn up to 30% less than the Canadian

average.• Over 20% unemployment in Inuit communities.• Harvesting economy is still common.• Among self-employed Inuit, only one-quarter to one-third

are women.

Cost of Living• 40% to 100% higher than in southern Canada;• Country food is a recommended alternative to southern

food.


BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

How can entrepreneurs help?

Can business leadership truly improve the social fabric and therefore the economic stability so important to their business interests in the north?


Inuit Fashion Industry• Growing interest in Inuit

traditional and contemporary creations.

• Mid-1990s fashion shows promoted a market for quality hand-crafted creations.

• Opportunity for economic independence in small and isolated communities.

• Pauktuutit project The Road to Independence promoted economic self-sufficiency among Inuit women.

• Trained Inuit women to meet the demands of the southern market.


Traditional Knowledge• The misuse and misappropriation of

Aboriginal intellectual property is widespread.

• Economic development based upon culturally-based garments prompted the need to protect the traditional intellectual property.

WHAT IS AN AMAUTI?• A traditional style Inuit woman’s parka with

a large hood and pouch to carry a child.• The large loose shoulder allows the mother

to bring the child around from her back for nursing.

• A custom fit protects the child from the cold and frees the mother’s hands for activities.

National Archives PA181322

National Archives E002213318


The Amauti Workshop• Raised awareness about

intellectual property rights among Inuit women.

• Engaged Elders, community leaders, and garment producers in discussions about protecting traditional knowledge.

• Sought consensus on legal mechanisms to protect collective knowledge in a way that respects Inuit cultural concerns.

• Empowered Inuit women with the tools to benefit from traditional knowledge.

• Final Report: Inuit Women's Traditional Knowledge Workshop on the Amauti and Intellectual Property Rightswww.pauktuutit.ca/publications_e.asp


Inuit Women In BusinessPartnering with INAC - Training the Trainers –

materials and techniques to deliver a three day business-readiness workshop that in turn, provides participants with:

tools to develop their own business plans; tools to assess their skills, strengths and weaknesses; increased awareness about Inuit and government

programs available to assist them in their business ventures;

know how to plan for and develop their business ideas; an understanding of the components of a business plan; Tools to assess their own business readiness and knowledge about where to find funding and resource

people to make their business a reality.


The Path to Women’s Economic

Self SufficiencySmall scale women’s economic

initiatives need support. This means:

Training Mentoring Access to credit – micro

lending and other new economic tools

Access to markets and Laws to protect the

intellectual property rights of traditional knowledge holders.


Economic Opportunity for Today

• Sustainable, long-term economic development depends upon social and economic stability in Canada’s north

• Inuit women are the primary agents of social change in Inuit communities

• If it is to succeed, Industry needs Inuit women to participate in

northern economic development


Pauktuutit as a PartnerPrivate sector interests are

best served by ensuring social and economic stability in local communities;

• Pauktuutit has 23 years expertise in direct community representation and engagement;

• Pauktuutit has well-established relationships with key representatives of governments, agencies, academics, community leaders and the private sector.


Pauktuutit as a Partner

• Pauktuutit is a unique and practical partner for the critical process of knowledge translation;

• Partnership with Pauktuutit is a direct investment in economic

stability;• Investing in Inuit women as the agents of change in the north is sound economic policy;• Pauktuutit is a non-profit

charitable organization.


QuyanamiikJennifer Dickson

Executive Director

PAUKTUUTIT INUIT WOMEN OF CANADA

56 Sparks StreetSuite 400

Ottawa, OntarioCANADAK1P 5A9

[email protected]

economic security of inuit women inuit women as agents for change government of canada standing...

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