From Your Student Council’s Indigenous Cultural Connections Committee:
Throughout Canada’s history, there have been many strong indigenous leaders and activists who faced many hardships but also showed great resilience. They fought for others and worked to improve Indigenous civil rights here in Canada, which is why we at the Indigenous Cultural Connections Committee proudly presents: Instrumental Indigenous Figures.
1911-1996
As an Indigenous human rights activist, Mary Two-Axe Earley fought for the rights of her fellow Indigenous women. Through the years, she witnessed and experienced the results of the blatant racism and sexism that were the backbone of Canada’s efforts to assimilate Indigenous Peoples. Rather than make her hopeless, these experiences pushed her to take a stand and work to bring a voice to this inequality throughout the latter half of her life. All of this work eventually culminated in bill C-31, which made it possible for Indigenous women to be recognized with their Indian Status that wasn’t dependent on male lineage or marriage. Fun Fact: Mary Two-Axe was able to return to the same reserve where she was born towards the end of her life as a direct product of her activism.
Ralph Garvin Steinhauer
Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, Indigenous Leader
1905-1987
Fun Fact:
Further Reading:
The Student Council’s Indigenous Cultural Connections Committee
“Hóyówélh” is goodbye in the Stó:lō Shxwelí – Halq’eméylem Language. Listen to how it’s pronounced by clicking here!
Note: This is organized and run by the Student Council and is not overseen by HCOS.
