Summary
The role of Indigenous women on Onion Lake Reserve in the late 19th century was paramount to the success of the reserve during their struggle with famine and disease. It was the perseverance of the Cree women that kept the spirit alive in their community. Their strong work ethic and refusal to give up spread hope throughout the community and helped everyone to remain focused in their work. The women kept the Cree culture and traditions alive in a time where their survival was uncertain. The women on the Onion Lake Reserve performed additional labour to ensure that their community was cared for and prospered through famines caused by settler immigration into the Plaines.
Implications
The perseverance of the Cree women on the Onion Lake Reserve demonstrates the important and often undocumented role that Indigenous women played in their communities. Without the will of the Cree women, the survival of the Onion Lake Reserve is uncertain. These women vehemently resisted the societal pressures to be domesticated, and instead they took control of their communities when others could see no way of survival. They defied European gender norms by taking on many hunting and gathering duties that European society tried to associate only with men. By standing their ground these women were able to preserve their community and culture despite governmental attempts to dismantle it.
Date
1880
Community
Theme(s)