Sharon McIvor facts for kids

Sharon Donna McIvor (born October 9, 1948) is a very important Indigenous women's rights activist. She is a member of the Lower Nicola Band and is a Thompson Indian. Sharon McIvor bravely challenged the Canadian government. She fought against unfair rules that treated Indigenous women and children differently based on their gender.

Who is Sharon McIvor?

Sharon McIvor was born in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada. She is a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band. She is well-known for her work in standing up for Indigenous rights. Sharon has been a strong supporter for missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. She often talks about how serious these issues are.

Sharon McIvor also works with the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC). She has pushed the Canadian government many times to change unfair rules. These rules caused Indigenous women and their children to lose their official status. This happened when an Indigenous woman married a man who was not Indigenous. Because of these old rules, Sharon McIvor herself was denied her status, and so were her children.

Sharon McIvor works hard to make sure everyone is treated equally. She wants to remove old, unfair laws that hurt Indigenous people. Her efforts help to fix problems caused by colonization and discrimination. She continues to fight against policies like the Indian Act (Bill C-31). These policies have had bad effects on many generations of Indigenous families.

Honoured for Her Work

Because of her important work, Sharon has been honored by the Feminist Alliance for International Action. She is part of a special group called the Indigenous Famous Six. Other members include Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell, Yvonne Bedard, Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas, Lynn Gehl, and Senator Lillian Eva Dyck.

Sharon's Early Life and Education

Sharon McIvor grew up in Merritt, British Columbia. She went to the University of Victoria and Queen's University. She earned two law degrees, one in 1987 and another in 1995.

Sharon's Career

Today, Sharon McIvor works at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. This school in Merritt, British Columbia, helps Indigenous students get a college education. She shares her knowledge in many areas, including criminology and Indigenous Academic Studies.

Sharon teaches students about history, politics, and human rights. She also talks about how colonization has affected Indigenous people. A big part of her teaching focuses on the unfair rules in Bill C-31 (the Indian Act). She shares her own long journey through the courts to fight these rules. Her dedication shows how committed she is to protecting Indigenous rights. Spreading awareness about colonialism is key to fixing unfair laws.

Her Family and the Fight for Status

Sharon McIvor's fight for status is deeply connected to her family. Her father, Ernest McIvor, was born outside of marriage. His mother, Cecelia McIvor, should have been entitled to status. However, her father, Alex McIvor, was not Indigenous.

Similarly, Sharon's mother, Susan Blankenship, was also born outside of marriage. Her mother, Mary Tom, was Indigenous, but her father, Jacob Blankenship, was not.

Sharon married Charles Terry Grismer, who is not Indigenous. Because of the old rules, Sharon and her children, Jacob, Jordana, and Jaime Grismer, faced challenges getting their official status. This is why her family's story is so important to her landmark legal cases.

Awards and Legacy

Sharon McIvor has worked for over 30 years to protect Indigenous rights. She has especially focused on gender discrimination related to gaining status. She was a Co-chair of the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA-AFAI). In 2016, Sharon spoke at the United Nations about equality and Indigenous rights.

She has also been part of many important groups. These include "Justice Bertha Wilson’s Panel on Gender Justice in the Legal Profession" and the "Equality Rights Panel of the Court Challenges Program." She also served on the "Aboriginal Circle of the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women."

Sharon has received several awards for her work. She got the Caron Geller award in 2007. In 2011, she received the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. This award celebrates people who have made a big difference for women's equality in Canada.