NWAC offers warm welcome to new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada (INAC)

 Press Release --- For Immediate Release

Ottawa ON (August 10, 2010)-- The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) would like to extend a warm welcome to John Duncan, the newly appointed Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

 

John Duncan, a Conservative MP for B.C. will replace Chuck Strahl, who has held the post since 2007, and will take over the Transport portfolio. Duncan brings a wealth of experience to the position and he has served as Strahl’s parliamentary secretary at Indian Affairs and Northern Development since 2008.

 

 “I would like to thank Minister Strahl for his support and positive approach to working with Aboriginal organizations and communities. Since he has served as Minister the Conservative government has issued an apology to former students of residential schools, and invested time and money into the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to address the abuse Aboriginal children faced at residential schools across Canada. Minister Strahl has always displayed a commitment to participate in consultation and to work in partnership with National Aboriginal Organizations, and for that I am thankful,” said Native Women’s Association of Canada’s president Jeannette Corbiere Lavell.

 

Duncan’s appointment as Minister comes after a cabinet shuffle that took place on Friday August 6, 2010. In 2006, Duncan served as an Opposition MP and held several senior critic portfolios including International Trade, Natural Resources and Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Before he entered politics, Duncan worked in the coastal forest industry for roughly 20 years.

 

The Native Women’s Association of Canada aims to continue to maintain a strong working relationship with INAC, and looks forward to developing a new partnership with John Duncan. In particular, NWAC aims to continue to foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Aboriginal women within Aboriginal communities and Canadian society.

 “Looking ahead, I would like to welcome John Duncan in his new role, and I hope to continue a positive relationship with INAC under the leadership of this new minister,” said President Jeannette Corbiere Lavell. The Native Women’s Association of Canada also looks forward to collaborating with the new Minister on the implementation of the Action Plan for Aboriginal Women.

 

For more information contact:                                                                                                                                                                                         Andrea Ruttan, M.A.                                                                                                                                                                                        Communications Officer                                                                                                                                                                                          Phone: (613) 656-3012 Mobile: (613) 295-2719                                                                                                                                                        Email: aruttan@nwac.ca