Ellen Gabriel facts for kids

Ellen Gabriel, also known as Katsi'tsakwas, is a Mohawk activist and artist. She comes from the Kanehsatà:ke Nation. She is famous for being the official spokesperson during the Oka Crisis. The People of the Longhouse chose her for this important role.

Ellen Gabriel's Early Life and Learning

Ellen Gabriel was born in 1959 in Kanehsatà:ke Nation, Quebec. From a young age, she loved art. As she grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, she saw many movements for peace and women's rights. These events made her interested in becoming an activist.

In May 1990, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University. Her main focus was Studio Art. Later, in 2021, Gabriel finished a one-year program in Documentary filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.

Ellen Gabriel's Career and Work

Ellen Gabriel started her career teaching art at the Kanehsatake Language and Cultural Center. From 1992 to 2000, she worked there as an illustrator and helped create school lessons. She taught art to students in grades 1 to 6. She also made educational videos. These videos shared traditional Iroquois legends and local stories from the Kanehsata:ke community for the school.

In 1993, a documentary film called Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance was released. Ellen Gabriel was an important part of this film. From 2001 to 2004, she also worked at McGill University. There, she was a coordinator for the First People’s House.

Advocating for Indigenous Women's Rights

After her work at McGill, Gabriel became the president of Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW). This was in Kahnawake, Quebec, from March 2004 to December 2010. During this time, she strongly supported the rights of Indigenous women. She spoke out about issues related to the Indian Act, especially regarding Bill C-31.

Her job involved telling parliamentary committees and other groups about the challenges Indigenous women faced. Gabriel also joined the board of the National Aboriginal Health Organization. They held workshops to show how colonization affected Indigenous peoples, especially women. While leading Quebec Native Women Inc., Gabriel connected with many other groups. She also wrote articles about important issues for Indigenous peoples.

Language and Filmmaking Work

Since November 2011, she has worked as a technical consultant at the Kanehsatà:ke Language and Cultural Center. In this role, she helps to make the Kanien’keha language stronger in her community.

After getting her diploma from the New York Film Academy in 2021, Gabriel became a freelance documentarian. Her films are inspired by nature, other artists, and everyday life. One of her films is the award-winning documentary When the Pine Needles Fall. This film shows the events that led to the 78-day standoff during the Oka Crisis in 1990.

Ellen Gabriel's Activism and Advocacy

In March 1990, Ellen Gabriel joined a movement to stop a golf course from expanding in Oka, Quebec. This event grew into what is known as the Oka Crisis. To make more people aware of the crisis, she traveled to many countries. She visited places like The Hague, Strasbourg, and Japan.

On May 19, 2009, Gabriel gave a speech at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This forum discusses important topics for Indigenous peoples around the world.

From July 11 to 15, 2011, she spoke at another important meeting. This was the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

On May 7, 2013, she gave a speech to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She spoke about Bill S-2, which was a law related to women's status.

Today, Gabriel is a member of the Steering Committee for Indigenous Climate Action. This group works on climate issues that affect Indigenous communities.

Awards and Recognitions for Ellen Gabriel

Ellen Gabriel has received many honors and awards for her work in film and activism.

Film Awards

• Selected at the American Indian Film Festival in 2022
• Honorable Mention at the Tokyo Film Awards in 2022
• Best Short Documentary at the LA Independent Women Film Awards in 2022
• Best Student Film Kanatenhs for When the Pine Needles Fall from the Melbourne Independent Film Festival in 2022
• Best Student Short Kanatenhs for When the Pine Needles Fall from the Sydney Indie Short Film Festival in 2023

Indigenous Activism Awards

• Golden Eagle Award from the Native Women's Association of Canada in 2005
• International Women's Day Award from the Barreau du Québec/Québec Bar Association
• Jigonsaseh Women of Peace Award in 2008

Related Topics

• Mohawk Warrior Society
• Kahn-Tineta Horn
• Waneek Horn-Miller
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues