How Indigenous women can take a greater leadership role

When I look in the mirror each morning, I see a black face. As I look a bit longer, I see the face of a woman.

My first identity is that of my race. So with all the trials and tribulations of being a female Aboriginal leader, that is what I feel I face up to first. Accordingly, my deepest connection and priority is to Indigenous people.

Sexism was more of an issue for me when I was much younger, and I know this is still the case for young Indigenous women I work alongside. Sexism gets easier as you get older and grow in "senior woman" status. Perhaps the men become more respectful, a little more frightened of you.

But it was always racism that I felt as a much greater liability for me in achieving what I wanted to achieve. What I would say is that women who experience sexism or racism must confront these forms of discrimination head-on and never tolerate or accept them.

In addressing all the difficult sides of leadership – and they are very real – I should also reflect on the wonderful aspects of being identified as someone who cares for their community. Which is why it is so important for women to make themselves known in different capacities within their own communities. If your community doesn't know who you are, leadership is much harder, much less legitimate.

I had the great advantage of coming from a well-known and respected family which was always part of the community. Once your community sees you doing things for it, people feel and show pride and support which is the greatest of gifts and reinforcements. It far outweighs the difficulties of leadership.

And when you are noticed for the good job you are doing in the community, there’s a chain reaction where you are identified to take on bigger and broader responsibilities. This is why there is such a hunger for emerging young Indigenous leaders at the national level and why it's vital for older leaders to mentor, communicate and allow younger people to take the lead also.

It's a very Aboriginal thing to do, to give younger people greater responsibilities within the community as they become able to take those responsibilities on. It is a culturally appropriate transfer of roles that involves respect in both directions – from the younger to the older and the older to the younger.

Every day I speak to my Mother who passed on eight years ago. Every day I ask her to guide me in my journeys. When I have to speak at a big event, when I am restless and nervous, I meditate for a few moments and I feel her tap on my shoulder to tell me she is there with me.

She then calls in the ancestors and I am surrounded by them. They tell me to "go for it". Which is what I have done - and tell my young sisters to do also.