A look at the political involvement of Indigenous women in Quebec

Authors

Abstract

Colonization reduced Indigenous women’s power in traditional governance, with the Indian Act prohibiting their political participation (1876-1951). Despite amendments in 1951, women remained marginalized for decades. Based on twenty interviews with Indigenous women from various First Nations in Quebec, this article explores their leadership, challenges, and gender-based barriers.

La colonisation a réduit le pouvoir des femmes autochtones dans les structures de gouvernance traditionnelles, la Loi sur les Indiens interdisant leur participation politique (1876-1951). Malgré des modifications apportées en 1951, les femmes sont demeurées marginalisées pendant des décennies. S’appuyant sur vingt entretiens menés auprès de femmes autochtones issues de diverses Premières Nations au Québec, cet article examine leur leadership, les défis auxquels elles font face et les obstacles liés au genre.

Author Biographies

Suzy Basile

Suzy Basile, of Atikamekw First Nation origin, is a professor at the School of Indigenous Studies at UQAT’s Val-d’Or campus. In 2017, she set up the Research Laboratory in Indigenous Women’s Issues – Mikwatisiw – and since January 1, 2020, holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Women’s Issues.
Correspondence: suzy.basile@uqat.ca

Héloïse Maertens-Willems

Héloïse Maertens-Willems, a French immigrant based in Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal, is a PhD candidate in Sociology at Université de Montréal. She completed a master’s degree in Indigenous Studies under the supervision of Suzy Basile at UQAT, focused on the political involvement of Indigenous women in Quebec.

Rachel Pelletier

Rachel Pelletier is non-Indigenous and lives in Val-d’Or. She holds a master’s degree in Indigenous law and territorial governance from UQAT and is actively involved in the field of natural resources management with Indigenous Peoples from Quebec. 

Canadian Woman Studies, les cahiers de la femme, volume 38, numbers 1 and 2. A York University Publication, Articles, Poetry, Art, Book reviews, for the feminist reader. Visionary Feminisms 1. Guest editors: Leigh Brownhill, Angela Miles, Kimberly Todd, Njoki WaneThe cover shows a painting of a woman dressed in read and wearing a headscarf, surrounded by bright yellow stars. She is facing left and has one arm outstretched as though she is flying.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-18

How to Cite

Basile, S., Maertens-Willems, H., & Pelletier, R. (2026). A look at the political involvement of Indigenous women in Quebec. Canadian Woman Studies Les Cahiers De La Femme, 38(1,2), 45–53. Retrieved from https://cws.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cws/article/view/37945

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1,2 (2026): Visionary Feminisms I

Section

Feminist Activism: Past, Present, Future