About Us

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization that defends the rights, delivers programming to, and amplifies the perspectives of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people in Canada. NWAC is inclusive of First Nations—on- and off-reserve, status, non-status, and disenfranchised—Inuit, and Métis. As a grassroots association guided by Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on a collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse 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 LGBTQQIA+ 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.

Mission

Advocate for and inspire Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse 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, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people, and families.

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.

Guiding Principles

NWAC’s guiding 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.

Financial Statements

Provincial/Territorial Member Associations