First C-31 woman honored for rights commitment

Page 25

One of the major changes in the Aboriginal landscape over the last 15

years was brought about through the efforts of one tireless woman. Mary

Two-Axe Earley, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, Que., worked for decades to

have the Indian Act section that denied equal treaty rights to women

amended. Her efforts led to the passage in 1985 of the historic Bill

C-31.

The bill resulted in the reinstatement of women who had previously lost

their treaty status by marrying a non-status Indian or a non-Native. As

well, their children for two generations were reinstated. Two-Axe

Earley spearheaded the establishment of Equal Rights for Indian Women,

which became Indian rights for Indian Women.

"The problem is to change the law, and the Indian Act Sections 12(1)(b)

that enables a man to marry who he wants and inherit everything and his

children could go to school on the reserve and they have

privileges--they could vote," she said. "While a woman, if she marries

a non-Indian or an Indian without status, wouldn't be able to vote, to

do anything. She's d be like an outcast and that wasn't right because

she was an Indian."

Two-Axe Earley's impassioned plea for justice caught the ear of the

royal commission on the status of women in 1968. In turn, that led to a

crucial commission recommendation in 1970 that the Indian Act be amended

in its treatment of women. That recommendation grew to become Bill

C-31. She was the first woman to be reinstated by then-Indian Affairs

minister David Crombie.

She has been a magnetic and quietly powerful speaker at conferences,

commissions and hearings worldwide in her continued hunt for justice,

basic human rights and the quality of women before the law. A clan

mother who places the traditions and welfare of Aboriginal communities

before anything else, she was awarded and honorary Doctorate of law

from York University.

Two-Axe Earley was given this year's National Aboriginal Achievement

Award officially for women's rights. She had been nominated, along with

Dr. Frank Calder and 21 others, for lifetime achievement.

"Oh, this award means to me a great deal as this is the first time that

a national Aboriginal organization has given me any award", she said.

"I've got many awards from different organizations so I am very proud to

have received this award from Aboriginal people." She was unable to

accept the award in person at the ceremony in Winnipeg.

She received the national Aboriginal Achievement Award for "her drive

to establish Bill C-31 and her commitment to the rights of women."