Enough is Enough: Aboriginal Women Speak Out

Not since Speaking Together (1975) has there been a book that truly captures the spirit of native women. This book fills that void.

The book traces the history of the native women’s struggle to change Section 12(l)b of the Indian Act. And it does this from the women’s viewpoint. These women had more to do than simply contend with a discriminatory piece of legislation. They were up against Indian Affairs bureaucrats, reserve men (in elected positions), and both native and non-native women on reserve.

According to the introduction, Enough is Enough is the “candid story of an extraordinary group of women from Tobique Reserve in New Brunswick who have been in the forefront of that struggle.” Their story is an example of what occurred on many reserves across Canada.

Part I, entitled “Women of Tobique,” includes the stories of various residents. Several are recollections of early reserve life. Part II, “Organizing,” tells of the events that took place locally and nationally for native women’s rights. Chapter 6, in the section “Retrospective,” includes reflections of native women on the struggle.

At the end is a chronology of events, from a Tobique women’s focus, but including national events as well. The list begins with the Indian reservation system defined in the Constitution Act of 1869. It ends with an August 1985 Reinstatement Celebration on the Tobique Reserve, after the passage of Bill C-31 on June 28, 1985.

The Tobique women admit they are telling their story “to demonstrate how a group of women can work together to create a better future for themselves and their children.” Many Canadians said the Indian Act would never be changed. Fortunately, these people were proved wrong.

Enough is Enough should be required reading for anyone interested in women’s rights or the general situation of Canada’s natives.