The purpose of this book, written by an Indigenous women herself a former prostitute and recovering addict, is to provide a roadmap for those who are presently engaged within the sex trade to be able to find their way out. The journey is described as a perilous one - to be taken "one day at a time". Dr. Barbara Waterfall (Associagte Professor of Social Work, Algoma University) notes that while the book is written for those who work within the sex trade, it is a powerful and potent read for anyone who is engaged with equity and social justice work. Reviews: Dr. Acoose speaks and writes from the heart! She does not hesitate to share her story and be a role model for the Indigenous community. She talks about issues that need to be discussed and is an inspiration to everyone who reads her book!
—Jason Albert, PhD, Associate Professor, Saskatoon Campus, School of Indigenous Social Work, First Nations University of Canada Sharon Acoose is an Indigenous woman who found her way from prostitute to professor. In this book, she reviews the issues of prostitution and uses her personal story to reveal the devastation women experience, their strengths, their stories, and their humanness.
—Tara Turner, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Indigenous Social Work, First Nations University of Canada Enthralling! Dr. Acoose writes with rawness and certitude. She reminds us that marginalized women continue to be exploited and debased by opportunists -- whether businessmen, family men, priests, police, or the boy next door -- with little regard to our sisters who exist on the margins of poverty and pain.
—Catherine Richardson, PhD, Métis Scholar, Director of First Peoples Studies, Concordia University, Montreal Table of Contents: Acknowledgements
Table of Contents Foreword
By: Barbara Waterfall, BA, MSW, RSW, PhD Chapter 1
Wilma P – Typist’s Story Chapter 2
A Situation Rather than a Problem Chapter 3
My Purpose Chapter 4
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Chapter 5
A Little Look at the Prostitutes Chapter 6
The Landscape that is Prostitution Chapter 7
Human Trafficking Chapter 8
Prostitute Organizations Chapter 9
Decriminalization could be the Beginning of the Solution Chapter 10
Terisita’s Story Chapter 11
Conclusion References
About the Author About the Author: Sharon Leslie Acoose, PhD (Kiishiibii-biizuu-kinew-Ikew, Circling Eagle Woman) is Professor of Indigenous Social Work at First Nations University of Canada – Saskatoon Campus and a Member of the Sakimay First Nation. Dr. Acoose, a recovering addict with thirty years of sobriety, has extensive experience working with women and girls involved in prostitution and other violent issues that stem from living on the street. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Acoose currently runs a support group for formally incarcerated ‘Indian’ women, and is author of An Arrow In My Heart: A First Nation Woman’s Account of Survival from the Streets to the Height of Academia (2015), and A Fire Burns Within: Teachings from Ceremony and Culture (2016).
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