Colonial legacies and the trafficking of Indigenous women in Canada

Abstract

This paper examines how the ongoing impact of colonialism continues to shape the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls to human trafficking in Canada. It offers a decolonial critique of Canada’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, while drawing on Critical Race Theory and Indigenous feminist thought. This analysis finds that current legislation inadequately addresses root causes of trafficking and lacks inclusion of Indigenous voices. This paper argues that meaningful change requires Indigenous-led frameworks, redistribution of power, and a commitment to decolonizing existing systems. By highlighting these gaps, this research contributes to human trafficking literature by emphasizing the necessity of Indigenous leadership in developing effective policy solutions.