Indigenous Women Leaders Gather for Inaugural Leadership Forum

by ahnationtalk on February 27, 2017306 Views

Toronto, Ontario

February 25th & 26th, 2017

Indigenous women leaders from across Ontario gathered together in Toronto this morning for the inaugural Indigenous Women’s Leadership Forum. The forum, hosted by the Ontario Native Women’s Association, has brought together over 50 female leaders to share wisdom and lead-‐ ership and to determine how to best support the wellbeing of Indigenous women, children, and their communities.

The first morning of the forum included remarks from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, as well as Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-‐Aski Nation, Anna Betty Achneepineskum, and President of the Ontario Native Women’s Association, Dr. Dawn Lavell-‐Harvard. The forum started off in a good way with an opening from Women Elders, ONWA Passwewe Ikwewug Women’s Drum Group and remarks from facilitator Joan Riggs.

ONWA President, Dr. Lavell-‐Harvard, spoke with passion about how women can lead in a way that is unique, different and strong. “To heal our families and communities, we must reclaim our leadership roles. As Indigenous women we are the givers of life and the first teachers of our fu-‐ ture generations. It is our traditional role to ensure the continuation of an Indigenous worldview.”

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, spoke of the im-‐ portance of reconciliation and stated that while Canadian democracy has been in place for a short time, 150 years, Indigenous people have been stewards of the land for many years and this history of governance is crucial to the future. “The voices of women are all too often ig-‐ nored. Why would we attempt to address these issues without 50% of the population? Indige-‐ nous women’s stories have been ignored and I truly mean it when I say we need your voices” stated Honourable Dowdeswell.

Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum shared her history of obtaining an education while a single mom, hardships from colonialism, and how we must move forward for a better future. “In order to have a good path, you need to know your history, the connection to the land, the importance of language, the role of women and having men respect our roles” says Achneepineskum.

The forum continues through Saturday and will conclude Sunday at midday, with the findings from the discussions to be presented at the National Indigenous Women’s Summit.

The Indigenous Women’s Leadership Forum was made possible through funding from the On-‐ tario government.

#IWLF2017

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Photo (L-‐R):

Cora-‐Lee McGuire-‐Cyrette, Executive Director, Ontario Native Women’s Association The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Dr Dawn Lavell-‐Harvard, President of the Ontario Native Women’s Association Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-‐Aski Nation

For more information and the agenda, please contact:

Jolene Banning

Public Relations Coordinator

Phone: 807-‐577-‐1490 ·∙ Cell: 807-‐356-‐1225

Email: jbanning@onwa.ca

NT5