Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 25, 2005 14:07:02 GMT -5
October 5, 2005
First Nations Women’s Day An Occasion for Celebration, Reflection and Change
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today joined the co-chairs of the AFN’s Women’s Council, Chief Maureen Chapman and Chief Tina Levesque, in calling for greater recognition of the successes of First Nations women, as well as the social, economic and cultural challenges they continue to face, on the first First Nations Women’s Day.
“As we celebrate First Nations Women’s Day, we should recognize the great strides made by many First Nations women over the last year,” stated National Chief Fontaine. “The opportunities for First Nations women are growing, and the appointments in the last year of both Lillian Eva Dyck and Sandra Lovelace Nicholas to the Senate of Canada are but two examples of what First Nations women have accomplished. Right now, there are over 100 women Chiefs in Canada, more than ever before. Their achievements and those of our community leaders, lawyers, teachers, artists and mothers are successes by any standard, and should be celebrated.”
First Nations Women’s Day is being celebrated this year following a resolution at the AFN’s Annual General Assembly in July 2005. The Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission and their Advisory Circle had recommended that, as part of the legacy of the Year of the First Nations’ Woman, October 5, 2005 be declared as the first annual First Nations Women’s Day, and the resolution was strongly supported by Chiefs in Assembly.
Chief Tina Levesque of Brokenhead First Nation in Manitoba stated that, while there are many reasons to celebrate, there is still a long way to go.
“Although we’ve seen many accomplished First Nations women take the stage in the media this year, there are still hundreds of First Nations and Aboriginal women who are anonymous faces,” said Chief Levesque. “The AFN and the Women’s Council fully support the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit campaign, which calls for justice for hundreds, if not thousands, of Aboriginal women whose disappearances or deaths have still not been fully investigated by police. We must lobby for effective government and law enforcement response to bring resolution to these women’s families.”
The AFN’s Women’s Council, said Chief Maureen Chapman of Skawahlook First Nation in British Columbia, is working to ensure that the cycles of poverty and mistreatment are broken for First Nations women.
“We must recognize the critical role women have traditionally played in First Nations cultures, as leaders, counselors and mothers,” said Chief Chapman. “We’ve recommended to the AFN’s Renewal Commission that restoring and honouring those traditional roles be a focus for the AFN, but we must also address the root causes of poverty by creating better economic and education opportunities and healthier living conditions for First Nations women and all First Nations citizens today and to ensure those opportunities continue to exist for future generations.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382
First Nations Women’s Day An Occasion for Celebration, Reflection and Change
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today joined the co-chairs of the AFN’s Women’s Council, Chief Maureen Chapman and Chief Tina Levesque, in calling for greater recognition of the successes of First Nations women, as well as the social, economic and cultural challenges they continue to face, on the first First Nations Women’s Day.
“As we celebrate First Nations Women’s Day, we should recognize the great strides made by many First Nations women over the last year,” stated National Chief Fontaine. “The opportunities for First Nations women are growing, and the appointments in the last year of both Lillian Eva Dyck and Sandra Lovelace Nicholas to the Senate of Canada are but two examples of what First Nations women have accomplished. Right now, there are over 100 women Chiefs in Canada, more than ever before. Their achievements and those of our community leaders, lawyers, teachers, artists and mothers are successes by any standard, and should be celebrated.”
First Nations Women’s Day is being celebrated this year following a resolution at the AFN’s Annual General Assembly in July 2005. The Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission and their Advisory Circle had recommended that, as part of the legacy of the Year of the First Nations’ Woman, October 5, 2005 be declared as the first annual First Nations Women’s Day, and the resolution was strongly supported by Chiefs in Assembly.
Chief Tina Levesque of Brokenhead First Nation in Manitoba stated that, while there are many reasons to celebrate, there is still a long way to go.
“Although we’ve seen many accomplished First Nations women take the stage in the media this year, there are still hundreds of First Nations and Aboriginal women who are anonymous faces,” said Chief Levesque. “The AFN and the Women’s Council fully support the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit campaign, which calls for justice for hundreds, if not thousands, of Aboriginal women whose disappearances or deaths have still not been fully investigated by police. We must lobby for effective government and law enforcement response to bring resolution to these women’s families.”
The AFN’s Women’s Council, said Chief Maureen Chapman of Skawahlook First Nation in British Columbia, is working to ensure that the cycles of poverty and mistreatment are broken for First Nations women.
“We must recognize the critical role women have traditionally played in First Nations cultures, as leaders, counselors and mothers,” said Chief Chapman. “We’ve recommended to the AFN’s Renewal Commission that restoring and honouring those traditional roles be a focus for the AFN, but we must also address the root causes of poverty by creating better economic and education opportunities and healthier living conditions for First Nations women and all First Nations citizens today and to ensure those opportunities continue to exist for future generations.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382