“Everybody's creative. We create our songs and our paintings, our families and our children. Every
one of us is on the cutting edge of the future.”
― Buffy Sainte-Marie
As we honor women’s history this month I cannot help thinking about how much we have achieved,
and what the future holds! I am very proud to be a woman and a Canadian. Our country has a well-documented timeline of pivotal events and movements, led by women.
For example, are you familiar with the Famous Five? They were a group of women (from right here in
Alberta!) - Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, and Irene
Parlby. Judge Emily Murphy back in 1916 had her rulings questioned by lawyers who contended that,
according to Canadian law, she was not a “person”. Judge Murphy disputed and by 1927 she gained
sweeping support, including from the aforementioned ladies. The group petitioned the Canadian
Supreme Court and even though it was dismissed they appealed and won. Their persistence resulted
in October 16, 1929, being declared Persons Day. One year later, Cairine Wilson was the first woman
to take the Canadian Senate oath of office.
And do you know about Elsie Knott? She was the first ever woman to act as a First Nations chief.
After the Indian Act allowed Indigenous women's rights to be of service on band councils and vote in
band elections, Knott was appointed chief of Curve Lake First Nation. Between 1954 to 1976 Chief
Knott served twice, and was a pillar of her community. She was well-known for her dedication to
enhancing the people’s quality of life by advocating for better social services, housing, water, and
roads. Chief Knott, who was Ojibway, also made preserving the culture and its traditions a top priority.
She passed along her knowledge, including of the language. Indeed, she was essential in helping
establish Curve Lake First Nation School’s Ojibway language curriculum!
In modern-day Canada there are plenty more trailblazing women to remind us how far we have come,
and how far we can go. From Buffy Sainte-Marie to Hayley Wickenheiser, Shania Twain, and Roberta
Bodnar, they have inspired us, and will continue to for future generations.
Even though Women’s History Month is only for 31 days let’s remember to celebrate ourselves and
one another, every day of the year!
References:
1 Sachdeva, Rhythm (2022, October 19). Persons Day in Canada, established 93 years ago, celebrates the march of women’s
rights. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/persons-day-in-canada-established-93-years-ago-celebrates-the-march-of-
women-s-rights-1.6114166
2 Burke, Brendan (2023, April 30). Curve Lake First Nation Chief Elsie Knott featured on proposed $20 bill. The Peterborough
Examiner. https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/peterborough-region/curve-lake-first-nation-chief-elsie-knott-featured-
on-proposed-20-bill/article_604d2ad6-29f9-56ea-ae9b-eaa17abda568.html
