Women In Crisis shine light on women who work towards ending gender-based violence and creating change

By Rick Garrick

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION — Courage to Create Change award nominee and Garden River citizen Kim Mianskum usually provides help for people who are walking across the country for various causes. Her family has a ‘We Honour Our Murdered and Missing Aboriginal Women and Families’ sign on their property near the highway.

“I live along the water — I live in my childhood home,” says Mianskum, a band representative at Garden River Child and Family Services. “We’ve got a huge sign in my front yard and everybody can see it from the highway.”

Mianskum says her family decided to place the sign on their front lawn in support of all those families of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.

“My family supports a lot of people who stop at our house to spend the night,” Mianskum says. “We have a teepee and people would ask if they could spend the night. They would share their stories why they are walking and we would offer our teepee and food and in the morning they would thank us and they would continue their journey. We have met a lot of people and shared lot of stories.”

Mianskum was one of 16 women who were nominated for the award by Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc. in recognition of their strength, courage and work and passion to end gender-based violence and for their dedication to creating change for future generations. Recipients receive their certificate of honour and bouquet of roses during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence beginning November 25 and culminating December 10.

“I was excited and surprised,” Mianskum says. “My family was very happy for me. The feedback I got was great; people say that is who I am.”

Women in Crisis (Algoma) Inc. holds the nominations in memory of the 14 women who lost their lives on Dec. 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique in Montréal.

“Back when I was working as an addictions counsellor in North Bay, I took part in a memorial march for those women who lost their lives,” Mianskum says. “It’s interesting how things kind of play out in your life.”

Mianskum says she now works with children/families and will advocate for families.

“It’s taking time with them and helping them through their struggles,” Mianskum says, “building a relationship so everyone can work together.”

Mianskum notes the importance of her aunt’s teaching on treating people the way you would like to be treated.

“Be careful how you treat people, be careful what you say,” Mianskum says. “Treat people with respect — you’re no better and you’re no less. So if you live your life like that, it’s pretty simple.”

Mianskum says she does “a lot of advocating” for her clients.

“If you want people to move forward in their life you need to give them choices,” Mianskum says.

Mianskum previously worked in the addictions counselling field in Toronto after graduating from an addictions program at Canadore College in North Bay.

“For years I worked at a treatment centre,” Mianskum says. “I met a lot of good people.”

Mianskum moved back to Garden River about 15 years ago to work at a local child welfare agency, after which she joined Garden River Child and Family Services about three years ago.

“It’s been great,” Mianskum says. “I love and enjoy working with my own community.”