Not Sacred, Not Squaws

Indigenous Feminism Redefined

Cherry Smiley

• Publisher: Spinifex Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781925950649
• eBook ISBN: 9781925950656
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Sozialwissenschaften
• Subtopic: Feminismus & feministische Theorie

A bold challenge to patriarchal ideology and a defense of Indigenous radical feminism.

In Not Sacred, Not Squaws, Cherry Smiley analyzes colonization and proposes a decolonized feminism enlivened by Indigenous feminist theory. Building on the work of grassroots radical feminist theorists, Smiley outlines a female-centered theory of colonization and describes the landscape in which male violence against Indigenous women in Canada and New Zealand is the norm. She calls out 'sex work' as a patriarchal colonizing practice and a form of male violence against women.

Questioning her own uncritical acceptance of male-centered Indigenous theorizing, Smiley examines the roles of culture and tradition in the oppression of Indigenous women and constructs an alternative decolonizing feminist methodology. This insightful is for feminist scholars, Indigenous women, activists, and students of gender studies seeking a refreshing and contemporary challenge to patriarchal ideology.

Table of contents

• Cover
• About the Author
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• List of Figures
• KICK ASS GRANDMA: a poem by cherry smiley
• Introduction
• 1. Male Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada
• 2. Redefining Colonization and Indigenous Feminism
• 3. Toward a Decolonizing Feminist Methodology
• 4. Sex Work
• 5. Prostitution
• 6. Shut Up Squaw: The Silencing of Indigenous Women
• 7. In Conclusion
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• References