Common struggles unite native women

Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 14/05) - Native women leaders from across Canada looked hard at regional issues and common struggles during their organization's first annual general meeting held in Yellowknife.

Beverley Jacobs, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada.

The Native Women's Association of Canada concluded its multi-day gathering last week with a goal to prepare a presentation to Canada's premiers at the first ministers meeting scheduled for November.

The event was held at the Explorer Hotel. President Beverley Jacobs, a Mohawk, spoke before 71 delegates, including six from the NWT. The women represent 13 Native women's organizations across Canada.

"We are coming forward with a unified voice on all issues," Jacobs said at the end of the weekend.

"Discrimination, racism and violence are the barriers in common that women face. Also in common is our networking, our beliefs and our vision.

"We're all working toward the betterment of our whole communities. That's the reason why we do this, to make sure that the future is looked after."

Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1974, the association is founded on "the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Metis women within First Nation and Canadian societies."

To be the national voice for native women;

To address issues in a manner which reflects the changing needs of native women in Canada;

To assist and promote common goals towards self-determination and self-sufficiency for native peoples in our role as mothers and leaders;

To promote equal opportunities for native women in programs and activities;

To serve as a resource among our constituency and native communities;

To cultivate and teach the characteristics that are unique aspects of our cultural and historical traditions;

To assist Native women's organizations, as well as community initiatives, in the development of their local projects;

To advance issues and concerns of native women; and

To link with other native organizations with common goals.