The Importance of Decent Work for Indigenous Women

Presentation by Kaylene Rawlings Hunter from Australia about the taking of land and resources by mining company. Alternatives to the process - joint partnerships, which respects environment. Rather than steam rolling. Is it really sustainable work - what is decent work - work that maintains and promotes a relationship with the land, and family. Cultural tourism, arts and crafts, medicines, recording our history. Can have enterprises, but must protect them. Copyright - issue for art products.

Lee Anne Cameron, Director, First Nations and Metis Relations, Hydro One Networks (Canada)spoke - Reported on some of the statistics. Research shows that aboriginal women earns more than her counterpart non aboriginal. Historical review - Residential school - not allowed to speak their language. Mother did go to university, and importance of education. Importance of tradition - women's council, and grandmother's circle make important decisions.

Investment on human resources - how resource development going on in traditional territory. because of constitution, meaningful consultation is required - sometimes consent in required. Some industries - protocol - specific requirement for aboroiginl people to participate in employment. Strong efforts to ensure aboriginal people employed, and also eduction and training. Ratio - 2 to 3% of general population is aboriginal, right now 3% of workforce are aboriginal

Recogniton they have a right to make decisions about their lives. Fact of funding for students on reserve compared to off reserve. Economic activity is the band and government on the reserve. Communities demanding opportunities for their people -

Rose Cunningham Kain, from Nicaragua - Work 24 hours a day - Carried out under adverse conditions. She gets children ready for school, then goes to farm, then sells products, An example of business person, good mom, and community worker. Can't harvest in Hondouras. These farmers are not indigenous, Selling fish - not allowed to sell just because of being a woman.

Increasing women in politics - had a meeting with justice, and will work with traditional justice systems. Not seen as poor women - value their knowledge. Natural resources - contamination of natural resources. Decent work essential for indigenous women - labour codes, and labour law - to support indigenous rights ILO - campaign.