NWAC visits Brazil for “Voice of Indigenous Women” International Exchange

March 27, 2018

OTTAWA – ON – The Native Women’s Association of Canada arrived in Campo Grande, Brazil, South America accepting an invitation to exchange experiences and provide leadership with Indigenous women from the region at the “Voice of Indigenous Women” event. NWAC Executive Director Lynne Groulx and Director of Youth Advocacy and Development, Carrington Christmas will share knowledge on behalf of Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Considered a milestone for the human rights of Indigenous women in Brazil, the “Voice of Indigenous Women” project promotes empowerment by strengthening mobilization and promoting political participation. A collective of Indigenous women from several regions of Brazil will attend and engage in discussions related to ending violence against Indigenous women, land, health and human rights, preserving diversity, justice and shared experiences of Indigenous women from Brazil and Canada. NWAC will give several presentations to offer knowledge from a Canadian perspective.

Executive Director Lynne Groulx stated, “The opportunity to learn more about shared inequities and injustices Indigenous women face from regions of the world will help propel Indigenous women to a higher level of knowledge to invoke positive change. The critical thinking and profound conversations resulting from an event of this magnitude allow for Indigenous women to move closer to their rightful place as an equal in societies around the world.” Director of Youth Advocacy and Development Carrington Christmas added, “Our Indigenous girls are powerful and insightful young advocates and they have witnessed first hand many of the injustices Indigenous women and their families face. Including young voices in these conversations allow for new perspectives as they inherit the responsibility of becoming leaders. Their perspective is not only important but extremely discerning.”

Recently, NWAC has been called upon as a National Indigenous Organization to take the world stage representing Métis, Inuit and First Nation women. This included visits to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City and Bolivia, South America earlier in March of 2018 sharing knowledge and best practices. Over the next several weeks, NWAC will also provide leadership on behalf of Indigenous women at the “Summit of the Americas” in Lima, Peru alongside heads of state and government of the Western Hemisphere. In addition, NWAC meets with the European Union at the Universal Periodic Review in coming weeks.

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The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women. NWAC is an aggregate of thirteen Native women’s organizations from across Canada and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1974.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joël Lamoureux – Media Relations Officer – 613-722-3033 X100 – Cell 343-997-1354 jlamoureux@nwac.ca

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