Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais is a multi-award-winning former journalist/broadcaster/writer who has been on Canada’s media scene for two decades. Over the years she has spent time at CTV News, APTN and NCI FM. She was honoured to win first place for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge in 2008 for her play, Notay Kiskintamowin “Wanting to Know”, the same year she was named a National Aboriginal Role Model by the Governor General of Canada—and graduated from the University of Winnipeg where she founded what is now known as the Indigenous Course Requirement and is recognized as a Notable Alumni.
A highly sought master of ceremonies, host, event planner, promoter, advocate, speaker, volunteer, marriage commissioner and karaoke connoisseur, Shaneen loves to keep a packed schedule and is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for Bear Clan Patrol Inc. and sits on the board of The Canadian Folk Music Awards. She has showcased Indigenous artists and their music throughout her career and is proud to be the Indigenous Music Development Coordinator for Manitoba Music. Shaneen is also a member of the FACTOR Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Above all, Shaneen’s most important role in life is at home with her husband Martin and their sons Sampson and Marrick.
The theme for IWD 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. What does that mean to you in your personal or work life?
For me this means not only a challenge to society to do better, but also a challenge to each woman to be okay with themselves. Whether you’re a working mother, a corporate professional, an artist, or a stay-at-home mom, be okay with all that you are. Challenge yourself to be proud of your hard work, honour yourself, respect yourself and empower yourself and other women.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
Believe in yourself in all that you do. Your grandmothers, mothers, and the ones yet to come need you to be the best woman you can be. Our role as women in any workplace is important and significant and always know you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that look like to you?
Women need to empower one another and share space in a respectful way. Things like gossip, lateral violence, bullying, and gaslighting have no place in the life of truly successful women. In my work it is so important for me to ensure that all women have opportunities. Women need to help each other any way we can because a win for one of us is a win for all of us.
What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?
I see that Indigenous women now have a role in the mainstream music industry. We are few, but we are mighty. In my past role in broadcasting/journalism I see that we still have a few women standing strong, but there need to be more Indigenous women. I am proud to see that CTV National News has a woman as their senior anchor.
Can you name a woman who continues to inspire you, and how?
My mother and my aunts. Despite generations of adversity, they have raised children, held careers, obtained education, loved their partners and became grandmothers. They’ve never stepped on another woman to get ahead in life. They’ve worked for all they have and have brought their daughters, sisters, nieces and granddaughters up along with them.
What are some tips or strategies, resources/groups you have used to overcome barriers that many women often face in their careers?
I seek the support and advice of my mother, aunts and Elders. I have been bullied, faced lateral violence, and had my human rights breached in workplaces in the past. It was other Indigenous women who did those things to me which made it that much more hurtful. I’ve prayed for them, moved on and have made a life commitment to never do to another woman what has been done to me. I work very hard to empower and respect other women.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing women in music today? Do you have any suggestions for the industry to make progress in alleviating these issues?
The music industry is just like any other industry in Canada whether that be the justice system, the health care system, the child welfare system etc. We see white men of privilege at the top of the game. Women need to be helping one another to be making our presence known and that we stand in solidarity with one another. In our careers we need to ensure that we make space for our families as well. Whether you’re an artist or an industry professional, many of us are mothers, wives, daughters etc. Our family is important and that needs to be intertwined with our career life as well. This is especially important for the Indigenous music community since a breakdown in the family unit has been imposed on us for so many generations.