Women warriors rally the indigenous vote

On Oct. 11, 2015 at 2 p.m., the Rock the Indigenous Vote and Round Dance Rally was held at Vancouver’s International Village. The event was led by indigenous women who are a new generation of activists.

Supporters converge on the steps of Vancouver’s International Village on traditional Coast Salish territory.

Jerilynn Webster, a.k.a. JB The First Lady, with her son Sequoia. JB is a hip hop artist and leading voice in Vancouver’s indigenous community.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”JB the First Lady” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We wanted to be in a place that was visible. We wanted lots of people going by and where our drumming and singing would echo from building to building.[/perfectpullquote]

Lorelei Williams leads Butterflies in Spirit, a group that raises awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women through dance. Belinda Williams, her aunt, has been missing since 1977. Her cousin, Tanya Holyk, went missing in 1996. Holyk’s DNA was later found during the Pickton investigation.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”JB the First Lady” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As first born, I have been in a matriarchal role from the beginning. The community chose me at the height of Idle No More. It’s been an amazing journey towards women in leadership.[/perfectpullquote]

JB and powwow dancer Christy David connect between speeches.

Audrey Siegl, of the Musqueum First Nation, calls for indigenous voters to make their voices heard in the federal election.

Siegl embraces her buffalo hand drum. Siegl says that re-establishing a connection to her culture saved her from a life of alcohol and abuse.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Audrey Siegl” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]What I found when I picked up the drum was the healing that I had needed my whole life. It’s my friend, my confidant, my medicine.[/perfectpullquote]

In an emotional speech, Winona Williams remembers missing and murdered indigenous women.

Several children attended the event, including this young member of the Haisla Nation.

Powwow dancers and activists Christy David (left) and Harriet Prince (right) share a laugh as the rally turns festive.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and his wife Joan sit on the sidelines as a new generation of women lead the rally.

Activist Rosanne Gervais speaks with a Vancouver Police Department officer.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”JB the First Lady” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Voting is one little step we can make to create change. Sixty years ago we would have been arrested for this.[/perfectpullquote]

Several dozen people attended the Rock the Indigenous Vote and Round Dance at Vancouver’s International Village.

Victor Thompson of the Haida Nation attended the rally with his wife and young children. Thompson is a firekeeper and he advocates for indigenous women’s rights.

Lorelei Williams drums and sings with other indigenous women as the day’s events come to a close.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Lorelei Williams” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I want to say it feels good, but it kind of sucks that I have to do this. Every time I go somewhere to speak it’s emotionally draining for me, but I hope that in telling my family’s story I can help other women.[/perfectpullquote]

Children from the Nisga’a Nation play amongst signs of protest at the foot of the International Village Globe.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Lorelei Williams” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We’ve started to speak out and stand up for ourselves. If we start to take care of our women and take care of Mother Earth then things will start to change. I have hope. Hope is all I’ve got.[/perfectpullquote]

Participants ended the event with a traditional round dance.

Women warriors rally the indigenous vote

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