Policy Sectors

About

 

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization representing political voices of Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse+ (WG2STGD+) People in Canada. NWAC is inclusive of First Nations—on- and off-reserve, status, non-status, and disenfranchised—Inuit, and Métis. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on a collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of IndigenousWG2STGD+ People in their respective communities and Canadian societies.

Since 1974, NWAC has established strong and lasting governance structures, decision-making processes, financial policies and procedures, and networks, to achieve its overall mission, vision, and goals. Today, NWAC engages in national and international advocacy aimed at legislative and policy reforms to promote equality for Indigenous WG2STGD+ and LGBTQQAI+ People. Through advocacy, policy, and legislative analysis, NWAC works to preserve Indigenous culture and advance the wellbeing of all Indigenous WG2STGD People, as well as their families and communities.

NWAC works on a variety of issues, including: Employment, labour and business, health, violence prevention and safety, justice and human rights, environment, early learning childcare, and international affairs.

NWAC provides support much like a “Grandmother’s Lodge.” We—as aunties, mothers, sisters, brothers, and relatives—collectively recognize, respect, promote, defend, and enhance our Indigenous ancestral laws, spiritual beliefs, language, and Traditions provided by the Creator.

 

Native Women’s Association of Canada: Accord

Click the button below to download the Accord for Native Women's Association of Canada:

Download Accord

 
 

Mission

Advocate for and inspire women, girls, 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, and the families of many Indigenous nations.

 

Vision

We envision an inclusive world that understands and respects the diversity and uniqueness of all Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, and families.

Elements of Vision

We envision Indigenous communities where all individuals have an opportunity to develop their talents to achieve their full potential.

We envision communities where all people can lead healthy lifestyles by maintaining balance in their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.

We envision communities that build a sense of pride and a strong identification of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, as well as who they are.

We seek to broaden Knowledge of issues affecting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their relationships with the environment and the land.

We see communities where all our people have an opportunity to learn our history and Traditional Ways, while attaining a high level of academic education.

We envision Indigenous children who are proud of who they are, and comfortable in a predominantly non-Indigenous environment.

 

We see communities where all Indigenous Peoples understand, respect, and embrace diversities and uniqueness of all Indigenous nations, while actively accepting and exercising their responsibilities in contributing to strong communities.

We see communities working in unity with all other Indigenous organizations to strengthen, and maintain, Indigenous and treaty rights, as well as assume responsibility in selecting leaders.

Finally, we see Indigenous communities with authority to determine how natural resources are utilized, and that can coexist in cooperation with society–free of racism and discrimination.

 

Strategic Goals

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) strives to achieve its strategic goals and objectives by overcoming risks and challenges to harness opportunities that build on strengths. We accomplish this by:

1. Building a strong, resilient organization, through internal capacity building.

2. Being a full and equal participant on key issues of relevance to Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, and their families.

3. Increasing communication and resource capacities of all Provincial and Territorial Member Associations (PTMAs).

4. Building leadership capacity for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Objectives

NWAC’s objectives, or principles, are as follows:

• To be the national voice for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

• To address issues in a manner that reflects changing needs of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Canada.

• To assist and promote common goals of self-determination and self-sufficiency for Indigenous Peoples in roles of mothers and leaders.

• To promote equal opportunities for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in all programs and activities.

• To serve as a resource among our constituents and Indigenous communities.

• To cultivate and teach characteristics that are unique to our cultural and historical Traditions.

• To assist Indigenous women’s organizations, as well as community initiatives, in the development of local projects.

• To advance issues and concerns of Indigenous women, bringing together Indigenous organizations with common goals.

 
 

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors holds responsibility for the overall governance of NWAC. It passes all resolutions with regard to new initiatives undertaken by NWAC personnel and its members. The Board meets on a regular basis to evaluate, review, and provide direction to the president, PTMAs, and administrative staff.

 
 

Provincial/Territorial Member Associations

 

Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council


407 Black Street
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 2N2
Tel: 867-667-6162

Website: yawc.ca

President 

Terri Szabo

tszaboyawc@outlook.com

867-689-1149

NWAC BOD Representative

Lorraine O’Brien

lorrwesjo@hotmail.com

867-689-1149

Vice -President

Susan Burns

bearcreekyt@yahoo.com

867-689-1149

Executive Director & Office Manager

Emilie Dory

director@yawc.ca

867-667-6162 x 1007

Youth

Katelyne Magun-Wolftail

kittymagun@live.ca

The Native Women’s Association of the NWT


5114 - 49th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2P7
Tel: 867-873-5509

Website: nativewomensnwt.com

President

Denise McDonald

Denise.mcdonald@northwestel.net

867-678-4303

NWAC BOD Representative

Grace Blake

glblake@outlook.com

867-446-0698

Vice -President

Brenda Gauthier

bgauthier@northwestel.net

867-872-0526

Executive Director & Office Manager

Brenda Norris

exdirector@nativewomens.com

867-873-5509

Youth

Jody Zoe (NWT)

jody_zoe@hotmail.com

 

BC Native Women’s Association


#221-345 Chief Alex Thomas Way
Kamloops, BC V2H 1H1

Tel: 250-554-4556

President

Gena Edwards

president@bcnwa.org

250-318-4673

Vice -President

Lynn Kenoras-Duckchief

vicepresident@bcnwa.org

250-318-1158

Executive Director & Office Manager

Bernie Charlie

Bernie.charlie@shaw.ca

Youth

Natalie Sterling-Moses

youth@bcnwa.org

Keepers of the Circle Ontario


109 Burnside Dr.
Kirkland Lake, ON
P2N 3P9
Tel: 855-647-7874

Website: keepersofthecircle.com

President

Nancy Wabie

n.wabie@keepersofthecircle.com

705-642-5074

NWAC BOD Representative

Amanda Julien

a.julien@keepersofthecircle.com

855-647-7874 Ext 2050

Vice -President

Amanda Julien

a.julien@keepersofthecircle.com

855-647-7874

Executive Director & Office Manager

Arlene Hache

a.hache@keepersofthecircle.com

855-647-7874

Youth

Brianna Julien (ON)
briannajulien123@gmail.com

 

Newfoundland Native Women’s Association


2 Herald Avenue Suite 210
Millbrook Mall
Corner Brook, NL A2H 4B5
Tel: 709-632-3700

Website: nnwa.ca

President

Cathy Halbot

info@nnwa.ca

709-632-3700

NWAC BOD Representative

Cathy Halbot

info@nnwa.ca

709-632-3700

Vice -President

Erica Hurley

info@nnwa.ca

709-632-3700

Youth

Brooke Blanchard 

brookesblanchard@hotmail.com

Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association


52 Martin Crescent
Truro, NS
B2N 6N7
Tel: 902-893-7402

Website: nsnwa.ca

President

Bernadette Marshall

president@nsnwa.net

Mobile: 902-324-9600

NWAC BOD Representative

Bernadette Marshall

president@nsnwa.net

Mobile: 902-324-9600

Vice -President

Annie Gibbit Stevens

gibbit@eskasoi.ca 

vice2@nsnwa.net

902-565-4297

902-379-2800

Executive Director & Office Manager

Karen Pictou

executivedirector@nsnwa.net

902-893-7402

Youth

Anissa Blackmore

anissablackmore@millbrookband.com

 

Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI


312 Sweetgrass Trail
PO Box 145
Lennox Island, PEI
C0B 1P0
Tel: 902-831-3059

Website: awapel.org

President

Matilda Ramjattan

president@awapei.org

whw@awapei.org

902-831-3059 Ext 228

902 888-7479

NWAC BOD Representative

Matilda Ramjattan

president@awapei.org

whw@awapei.org

902-831-3059 Ext 228

902 888-7479

Vice -President

Kristin Lewis

vicepresident@awapei.org

902-831-3059

Youth

Alyssa Jo Bernard

youth@awapei.org
902-960-1409

Finance Department

312 Sweetgrass Trail

Lennox Island, PEI, C0B.1J0

Website: www.awapei.ca

Office: 902.831.3059

Toll Free: 1.888.973.4292

FAX: 902.831.3027

Email: finance@awapei.ca

Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women


18104 – 102 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5S 1S7
Tel: 780-479-8195

Website: laaw.ca

President

Lisa Weber

lisa@weberlaw.ca

780-479-8195

NWAC BOD Representative

Lisa Weber

lisa@weberlaw.ca

780-479-8195

Vice -President

Marggo Pariseau

mpariseau@iaaw.ca

780-244-8307

780-935-8747

Executive Director & Office Manager

Rachelle Venne

rvenne@iaaw.ca

780-965-3215

Youth

Erica Gladue

egladue@iaaw.ca

 

Nunavut Inuit Women's Association


736 Iglulik Drive
Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0

Tel: 867-979-5357

Tel: 800-263-1452

Website: amautiit.ca

President

Madeleine Redfern

Madeleine.redfern@gmail.com

867-979-1167

NWAC BOD Representative

Madeleine Redfern

Madeleine.redfern@gmail.com

867-979-1167

Executive Director & Office Manager

Victoria Perron

perron.victoria@gmail.com

admin@amautiit.ca

867-223-4536

Youth

Ningeolaa Killiktee

ningkilliktee@yahoo.com

Manitoba Moon Voices Inc.


301-286 Smith St,
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1K4
Tel: 204- 942-1828

Website: manitobamoonvoices.com

President

Co-Chairs

Denise Cook

jydcook@gmail.com

204-999-2426

Melissa Critch

melcritch@hotmail.com

204-960-0020

NWAC BOD Representative

Denise Cook

jydcook@gmail.com

204-999-2426

Vice-President

Co-Chairs

Executive Director & Office Manager

Shannon Hoskie

shoskie@mmvi.ca

204-942-1828

Youth

Jessie Harper-Langford

jharperlangford@gmail.com

431-778-4359

 

Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories


150 Cliffe Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3A 0A1
Tel: 506-206-8220
Fax: 506-206-8221

Website: iwwt.ca

President

Brandy Stanovich

brandy@iwwt.ca

506-324-1282

Vice -President

Amy Sock

1amysock@nb.sympatico.ca

506-523-3826

Executive Director & Office Manager

Katalin Eve Koller

katalin@iwwt.ca

506-260-1331

Youth

Mariah Deleavey 

mariahlynn_deleavey@hotmail.com

Saskatchewan Women of the Swift Flowing River Cultural Network Incorporated (WSFR-CNI)


274 Eaton Crescent Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, 
S7V 0H4
Tel: 306-481-4522

President / NWAC BOD Representative

Linda Campbell

campbelllinda07@gmail.com

306-481-4522

Vice -President

Abraleigh McIntyre

Invisioningwomensk2022@gmail.com

506-523-3826

Executive Director & Office Manager

Vacant

Youth

Rebekka Renneberg

Rebekkarenneberg1999@gmail.com