Synopses & Reviews
Restoring the Balance combines elements of First Nations traditions and mainstream feminism to produce an outstanding collection of historical and critical accounts of the impacts Aboriginal women have had in the areas of law, politics, education, community healing, language, art, and cultural retention. Fifteen scholars, activists, and community leaders illuminate long-standing gender imbalances within the oral and written historical records that have limited the self-actualization of First Nations women, and offer insight into the tangible work that Aboriginal women perform in community and cultural development.
Synopsis
First Nations peoples believe the eagle flies with a female wing and a male wing, showing the importance of balance between the feminine and the masculine in all aspects of individual and community experiences. Centuries of colonization, however, have devalued the traditional roles of First Nations women, causing a great gender imbalance that limits the abilities of men, women, and their communities in achieving self-actualization.Restoring the Balance brings to light the work First Nations women have performed, and continue to perform, in cultural continuity and community development. It illustrates the challenges and successes they have had in the areas of law, politics, education, community healing, language, and art, while suggesting significant options for sustained improvement of individual, family, and community well-being. Written by fifteen Aboriginal scholars, activists, and community leaders, Restoring the Balance combines life histories and biographical accounts with historical and critical analyses grounded in traditional thought and approaches. It is a powerful and important book.