Aboriginal Women Will Hold Government Accountable to Its Words of Action

Press Release

Ottawa, ON (October 18, 2007) – The Native Women’s Association of Canada had high expectations that Tuesday’s Speech from the Throne would outline concrete plans for addressing Aboriginal women’s issues. NWAC President Beverley Jacobs, who was on hand for the speech, remained optimistic that the Conservative government will ensure that its call to action will include Aboriginal women, especially when it comes to its commitment to address the housing shortage in Canada’s north, to improve human rights for Aboriginal peoples, to improve employability and skills training, and to deliver a formal apology to survivors of the residential school system.Since the Harper government took office 18 months ago, NWAC has worked hard to forge a strong, constructive relationship in many key areas of concern such as:

· The repeal of Section 67 of the Human Rights Act;
· Matrimonial Real Property Rights (MRP);
· National Aboriginal Women’s Summit;
· Addressing violence against Aboriginal women through our Sisters in Spirit initiative;
· Poverty and social programs;
· United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

President Jacobs says, “Now that it appears the Conservative government will remain in power, NWAC is counting on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to fulfill his promise to ‘continue to act’ on issues affecting Aboriginal women.”

President Jacobs adds, “Prime Minister Harper’s words need to be put into solid action when it comes to the repeal of Section 67 of the Human Rights Act. Section 67 currently restricts Aboriginal women from filing complaints under the Human Rights Act. NWAC maintains the repeal of Section 67 needs to be enhanced with a commitment to community consultations with an implementation plan and resources attached. And as Aboriginal women told us in the recently released MRP ‘Reclaiming Our Way of Being: A People’s Report’, legislation must be combined with nonlegislative solutions to address the potential fallout.”

NWAC is also counting on continued federal support in cohosting the 2 nd annual National Aboriginal Women’s Summit next June in Yellowknife, NWT. Plus, NWAC wants the Conservative government to formulate a strategy to end violence against Aboriginal women and to address the growing housing, poverty, employment and education challenges faced by Aboriginal women. NWAC joins other National Aboriginal Organizations, Aboriginal governments, Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Peoples in urging the Conservative government to implement the principles within the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

NWAC remains committed to partnering with the Conservative government to empower Aboriginal women by being involved in developing and changing legislation which affects them, and by involving them in the development and delivery of programs and services promoting equal opportunity for Aboriginal women.

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For further Information:
Robert McDonald, Team Lead of Communications & Education
(613) 850-6922
rmcdonald@nwachq.

Joshua Kirkey, Media Coordinator
(613) 722-3033
ext. 231
org jkirkey@nwachq.org