# Ellen Gabriel

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**Ellen Gabriel** (born 1959),[1] also known as **Katsi'tsakwas**, is a [Mohawk](/source/Mohawk_people) [activist](/source/Activism) and artist[2] from Kanehsatà:ke Nation ([Kanehsatà:ke Quebec](/source/Kanesatake,_Quebec), [Canada](/source/Canada)) – Turtle Clan, known for her involvement as the official spokesperson, chosen by the People of the Longhouse,[3] during the [Oka Crisis](/source/Oka_Crisis).[4][5]

## Early life and education

Ellen Gabriel was born in 1959 in [Kanehsatà:ke Nation](/source/Kanesatake,_Quebec), Quebec, Canada.[6] From a young age, she was passionate about art.[7] Gabriel grew up during the 1960s and 1970s, witnessing anti-war and women's rights movements, which sparked her interest in activism.[7][8]

In May 1990, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from [Concordia University](/source/Concordia_University), majoring in Studio Art.[7] In 2021, Gabriel completed a one-year conservatory program in Documentary at the [New York Film Academy](/source/New_York_Film_Academy).[9]

## Career

Ellen Gabriel began her career as an art teacher at the [Kanehsatake Language and Cultural Center](https://www.kanedu.ca/). In 1993, the documentary *[Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance](/source/Kanehsatake:_270_Years_of_Resistance)* was released; she was a prominent part of the film.[10][11] Gabriel also worked as a coordinator of the First People’s House at [McGill University](/source/McGill_University) from 2001 to 2004.[7]

Following this, Gabriel became the president at [Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW)](https://faq-qnw.org/en/) in [Kahnawake, Quebec](/source/Kahnawake), from March 2004 to December 2010. During this time she was an advocate for Indigenous women's rights, especially in response to policies under the [Canadian Indian Act](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act) in the form of [Bill C-31](/source/Bill_C-31).[12] Her work consisted of presenting issues and concerns regarding the challenges faced by Indigenous women to Parliamentary committees, [standing committees](/source/Standing_committee_(Canada)), and National Assembly committees.[12]

Gabriel further participated on the board of the [National Aboriginal Health Organization](/source/National_Aboriginal_Health_Organization), where workshops were organized regarding how colonization has affected Indigenous peoples, focusing on women.[12] During her role as the president of Quebec Native Women Inc., Gabriel connected with other Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, such as the Native Women Shelters network, and wrote articles regarding important issues that affect Indigenous peoples.[12] She continued her career as a technical consultant at the Kanehsatà:ke Language and Cultural Center, where she has worked since November 2011. This position involves strengthening and restoring the [Kanien’keha](/source/Kanien%CA%BCk%C3%A9ha) language in her community.[8]

After completing a diploma at the [New York Film Academy](/source/New_York_Film_Academy) in 2021, Gabriel has been a freelance documentarian.[9] Her work includes the documentary *[When the Pine Needles Fall](https://presenceautochtone.ca/en/programmation/kanatenhs-when-the-pine-needles-fall/),* which documents the events that started the 78-day standoff between the police and the community during the [Oka Crisis](/source/Oka_Crisis) in 1990.[13]

## Activism

In March 1990, Gabriel joined in the movement against the expansion of a golf course in [Oka, Quebec](/source/Oka,_Quebec).[citation needed] That event eventually escalated into the [Oka Crisis](/source/Oka_Crisis).

Gabriel currently holds a position as member of Indigenous Climate Action's Steering Committee.[citation needed]

## Honours and awards

**Honours and awards in film**

- Selected at the [American Indian Film Festival](/source/American_Indian_Film_Festival) 2022[14]
- Honorable Mention at the [Tokyo Film Awards](/source/Tokyo_Film_Awards) 2022[14]
- Best Short Documentary at the LA Independent Women Film Awards 2022[14][13]
- Best Student Film Kanatenhs for the film *When the Pine Needles Fall,* from the Melbourne Independent Film Festival 2022[14][15]
- Best Student Short Kanatenhs for the film *When the Pine Needles Fall*, from the Sydney Indie Short Film Festival 2023[14][16]

**Honours and awards in Indigenous activism**

- Golden Eagle Award from the Native Women's Association of Canada, 2005[17]
- International Women's Day Award from the [Barreau du Québec/Québec Bar Association](/source/Quebec_Bar_Association)[17]
- Jigonsaseh Women of Peace Award, 2008[17]

## See also

- [Mohawk Warrior Society](/source/Mohawk_Warrior_Society)
- [Kahn-Tineta Horn](/source/Kahn-Tineta_Horn)
- [Waneek Horn-Miller](/source/Waneek_Horn-Miller)
- [United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues](/source/United_Nations_Permanent_Forum_on_Indigenous_Issues)

## References

1. ["Canadian Aboriginal Art at the Senate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160727224325/http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/Aboriginal/04-e.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/Aboriginal/04-e.htm) on 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2014-04-19.

1. [Ellen Gabriel was born in Kanehsatà:ke, Katsi’tsakwas and gr by Emily Wicks on Prezi](http://prezi.com/dfes9fr_7tc6/ellen-gabriel-was-born-in-kanehsatake-katsitsakwas-and-gr/)

1. ["Katsitsakwas Ellen Gabriel « Women Suffrage and Beyond"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180218024032/http://womensuffrage.org/?p=1309). Archived from [the original](http://womensuffrage.org/?p=1309) on 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2014-04-19.

1. [Newsmaker: Ellen Gabriel discusses the Idle No More conflict | CTV Montreal News](https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/newsmaker-ellen-gabriel-discusses-the-idle-no-more-conflict/)

1. ["Assembly of First Nations – Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150806212728/http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/katsitsakwas-ellen-gabriel). Archived from [the original](http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/katsitsakwas-ellen-gabriel) on 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2014-04-19.

1. ["Canadian Aboriginal Art at the Senate"](http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/Aboriginal/04-e.htm). 2016-07-27. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160727224325/http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/Aboriginal/04-e.htm) 2016-07-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. ["UW-Conference Speakers"](http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/hrsj-bio-gabriel). 2016-03-03. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232252/http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/hrsj-bio-gabriel) 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. Gabriel, Ellen (June 26, 2012). ["Ellen Gabriel"](https://sovereignvoices1.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/ellen-gabriel/). *sovereignvoices1*

1. ["Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel"](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katsi-tsakwas-ellen-gabriel-2043453a/). *LinkedIn*. March 18, 2024.

1. ["Next National Chief: Ellen Gabriel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140328102953/http://wabkinew.ca/ellen-gabriel/). Archived from [the original](http://wabkinew.ca/ellen-gabriel/) on 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2014-04-19.

1. [Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993) – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107305/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt)

1. Anderson, Kim (Winter–Spring 2008). ["An interview with Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, of the Kanien'keha:ka Nation, Turtle clan"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A198994034/CPI?u=concordi_main&sid=bookmark-CPI&xid=13bde065). *Canadian Woman Studies*. **26** (3–4). – via GALE ONEFILE.

1. Rosenfield, Simona (2022-08-08). ["Gabriel directs award-winning film on the Pines"](https://easterndoor.com/2022/08/08/gabriel-directs-award-winning-film-on-the-pines/). *The Eastern Door*. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. ["Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel winning film awards"](https://quakerservice.ca/news/katsitsakwas-ellen-gabriel-winning-film-awards/). *quakerservice.ca*. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. ["November 2022"](https://melbournefestival.org/november-2022/). *Melbourne Independent Film Festival*. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. ["Winners – Winter 2023"](https://sydneyindieshort.com/winners-winter-2023/). *Sydney Indie Short Festival*. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

1. ["Native Leaders of Canada - Ellen Gabriel"](https://www.newfederation.org/Native_Leaders/Bios/Gabriel.htm). *Native Leaders of Canada*. Retrieved 2024-03-18.

## External links

- [Gabriel's Twitter Account](https://twitter.com/EllenGabriel1)
- [Gabriel's Blog](http://sovereignvoices1.wordpress.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ellen Gabriel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Gabriel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Gabriel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.