Résumés
Abstract
In this article, the historical circumstances that led up to the 1997 non-binding plebiscite on gender parity in what was soon-to-be Nunavut are considered. Firstly, traditional gender egalitarianism and fluidity in Inuit culture are described and exemplified by the values instilled in language, naming system, gendered roles and sexuality. Then, the political circumstances around the establishment of Nunavut and the way gender is played out on a political level are taken into account. The barriers against women in the electoral system are analysed and the arguments made for and against creating gender parity are evaluated. The vote on gender parity and the reasons why gender parity was finally rejected are reflected on. In the second part, the manners in which various organisations outside of government interact in order to address gender issues are scrutinised. Political and artistic bodies that represent women within Nunavut are contrasted against an organisation that contains Inuit men's voices, but does not represent them. Paradoxically, Inuit men still garner far more representation in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut while at the social level they suffer more than women who are themselves more economically stable. The article ends with a discussion on the future of gender issues in Nunavut including the views held amongst Inuit youth on the topic.
Résumé
Cet article concerne les circonstances historiques qui ont mené au plébiscite non exécutoire de 1997 sur la parité des sexes dans ce qui allait devenir le Nunavut. D’abord, la tradition égalitariste et la fluidité des genres dans la culture Inuit y sont décrites en y apportant les exemples des valeurs instillées dans la langue, le système d’attribution des noms, la répartition sexuée des rôles et la sexualité. Ensuite, nous prenons en considération les circonstances politiques entourant l’instauration du Nunavut ainsi que la manière dont la question des sexes se joue au niveau politique. Les obstacles opposés aux femmes dans le système électoral sont analysés, de même que sont évalués les arguments élaborés à l’encontre de la création de la parité. Nous réfléchissons au vote sur la parité et aux raisons pour lesquelles celle-ci fut finalement rejetée. Dans la deuxième partie, nous observons attentivement la manière dont de nombreuses organisations extérieures au gouvernement interagissent lorsqu’elles abordent les problèmes relatifs au genre. Nous mettons en contraste des groupements politiques et artistiques qui représentent les femmes du Nunavut avec une organisation qui véhicule des voix d’hommes inuit, mais n’en représente pas l’ensemble. Paradoxalement, les hommes inuit conservent de loin une plus grande représentation à l’assemblée législative du Nunavut alors qu’au niveau social ils souffrent davantage que les femmes, elles-mêmes plus stables économiquement. L’article se termine par une discussion sur le futur des problématiques des sexes au Nunavut tenant compte des opinions de jeunes Inuit sur ce sujet.
Parties annexes
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