There is no doubt that ongoing colonization has and continues to affect
the overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and women in
particular. The colonial and imperial imposition of European values and
ways have contributed to the decline in Aboriginal languages, culture and
traditions as well as Aboriginal women’s economic status, community
rights, and roles in the community. The high incidence of violence against
Aboriginal women is one of the most profound and tragic results of ongoing
colonization. In Canada, Aboriginal women are almost three times more
likely to be subjected to violent victimization than their non-Aboriginal
counterparts (Brennan, 2011). As well, the Report on Stolen Sisters
documents that as of July 2009 520 Aboriginal women have gone missing
or have been murdered in Canada in the last three decades (Amnesty
International, 2009).While Amnesty International has raised awareness of
the violence perpetuated against Aboriginal women in Canada relatively
little has been done to address the issue. These statistics affirm that many
Aboriginal women find themselves subjected to high levels of violence at
the individual and societal levels