A Message from the CEO

In October, we honoured our Sisters in Spirit and continued to advocate for the rights of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

ENGAGING IN ADVOCACY

In October, NWAC hosted our 15th Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil.—a day to reflect on the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. We gathered together virtually to honour our missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S).

While we continue to honour MMIWG2S and support those who grieve the loss of loved ones, NWAC also continues our critical work to end this genocide. Our action plan responds to the MMIWG National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice; we intend to see it through and help end the genocide. We will continue to call on all governments to do the same.

BUILDING PTMA CAPACITY

In October, NWAC held our Annual General Assembly. Alongside our PTMAs, we discussed the significant work that we have accomplished over the past year, both in advocating for the rights of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people and in providing essential support.

As we spoke about what we have accomplished so far, we also discussed what we need to do next. A key priority is expanding the reach of our in-person and virtual Resiliency Lodge programming by working with PTMAs to expand our outreach. We also spoke about key issues of concern that NWAC must continue to highlight in our work—including housing, food insecurity, and mental health.

I look forward to supporting our PTMAs as our critical work in both advocacy and service delivery continues to grow.

DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS

On October 19, 2021, NWAC and Sephora Canada hosted a National Roundtable on Indigenous Beauty.

The Roundtable engaged in an historic discussion on representations of Indigenous beauty and how Indigenous women and gender-diverse people perceive their own beauty. Over the course of the Roundtable, which was attended by over 200 participants, we heard from Indigenous women and gender-diverse people about how they would like to see themselves represented in mainstream society.

The Roundtable was only the beginning. With our partners, NWAC will continue to ensure representations of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people are inclusive of the diverse experiences, identities, and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

NWAC TEAM

While we continue to increase our capacity to support Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people by welcoming new team members, we also continue to support our staff by offering on-the-land meetings at the Resiliency Lodge. As we look to the new year, we look forward to offering more space for our staff to gather together at our new Social and Economic Innovation Centre.

IN THIS EDITION…

In this edition of Shining the Spotlight, read more about how we honoured MMIWG2S at our annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil, as well as ongoing work by NWAC’s legal department to analyze the impacts of Bill S-3. Also in this issue, hear about NWAC’s Circle of Care project, aimed at providing education and support for Indigenous caregivers of people living with dementia..

We hope you enjoy reading about the work NWAC has done in this month’s issue of Shining the Spotlight.

Miigwetch, Thank you, Merci,

Lynne Groulx