The
voices of Indigenous women worldwide have long been silenced by
colonial oppression and institutions of patriarchal dominance.
Recent generations of powerful Indigenous women have begun speaking out
so that their positions of respect within their families and
communities might be reclaimed. As part of this process of reinvigorating
our spirits we are compiling a volume exploring the issues surrounding
and impacting Indigenous mothering, family, and community in a
variety of contexts internationally. We welcome submissions
from Indigenous mothers, scholars, students, activists, workers,
artists, and any others interested in the experiences and
knowledges of Indigenous mothering, families and communities in either
historical or contemporary societies.
Topics can include (but are not limited to):
Explorations
of the personal experience of becoming an Indigenous mother (including
Grandmothers, Other mothers, LGBTQ or Two-spirited mothers,
bi-racial or mixed race mothers, adoptive mothers, etc.);
Indigenous mothering and the law-the impacts of legislation and
the justice system on the experience of Indigenous mothers and
families; conversations on varying aspects of identity, ethnicity, and
race as they inform the experience of Indigenous mothers and
families; the reconceptualization and/or performance of gender roles
as they relate to traditional or contemporary Indigenous mothering
practices and experiences; Indigenous mothering and the land,
activism, politics, academics, religion or spirituality, mentoring,
community mobilization, marginalization, poverty, crime and
incarceration, teen mothering, addictions and rehabilitation, sex
work, traditional mothering, and parenting practices.
We
welcome perspectives from Indigenous peoples worldwide. Cross-cultural,
historical and comparative work is encouraged.