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Canada: How women became leaders in Aboriginal politics

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Canada: How women became leaders in Aboriginal politics

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Candidate Pamela Palmater signs a banner carried by her supporters. Ms. Palmater would have been the first female National Chief if she had been elected. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) instead chose Shawn Atleo in Toronto on July 18, 2012.

Photo credit: Peter Power/The Globe and Mail

They did it without quotas, action plans or affirmative action.

Half of the eight candidates in the recent election for national chief of the Assembly of First Nations were women – a novel event, not just for the native organization but for Canadian politics in general.

The secret to such high female participation is two-fold, says Michele Audette, president of the Quebec Native Women's Association.

It lies in politics at the local level, where women on reserves have been taking the reins more and more often, she says.

And it lies in an inclusive approach to men, making them realize that their own health and welfare improve along with the empowerment of women, Ms. Audette said in an interview as the AFN elections wrapped up.

Read the complete story at The Globe and Mail, published 22 July 2012.

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Candidate Pamela Palmater signs a banner carried by her supporters. Ms. Palmater would have been the first female National Chief if she had been elected. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) instead chose Shawn Atleo in Toronto on July 18, 2012.

Photo credit: Peter Power/The Globe and Mail

They did it without quotas, action plans or affirmative action.

Half of the eight candidates in the recent election for national chief of the Assembly of First Nations were women – a novel event, not just for the native organization but for Canadian politics in general.

The secret to such high female participation is two-fold, says Michele Audette, president of the Quebec Native Women's Association.

It lies in politics at the local level, where women on reserves have been taking the reins more and more often, she says.

And it lies in an inclusive approach to men, making them realize that their own health and welfare improve along with the empowerment of women, Ms. Audette said in an interview as the AFN elections wrapped up.

Read the complete story at The Globe and Mail, published 22 July 2012.

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