Message from the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to support the National Aboriginal Women's Summit II in Yellowknife, NWT on July 29-31, 2008.  This is an opportunity to move forward on the key recommendations developed at NAWS I in Corner Brook, NL, last June.  It is encouraging to see Aboriginal women from across Canada coming together to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing their communities and their families.  Women play critical roles in society and should be equal partners at all levels of government in developing strategies to deal with difficult issues such as domestic violence, child welfare and wellness and healing.

The Government of Canada relies on both national and regional organizations and forums such as the National Aboriginal Women's Summit to devise strategies and implement programs that address urgent issues in their own communities. I am strongly encouraged by the progress that I have witnessed over the past couple of years on issues that make a difference in the lives of Aboriginal women, progress that was made as a result of close collaboration between Aboriginal women’s groups and the federal government.

Recent examples of this type of collaboration include the input that was provided by Aboriginal women and organizations during consultations on the development of Bill C-47, Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, and on the development of family violence prevention programs and services on reserve that resulted not just in an extensive funding commitment, but also in the creation of five additional shelters to augment the 35 that already exist.  There has also been a great deal of collaboration in the funding of programs for Aboriginal women living off-reserve, such as the AWO-TAAN Native Women’s Shelter in Calgary and the Mamawipayiwkamik Native Women’s Gathering Place in Winnipeg’s north end.

These types of partnerships illustrate that by working together, we can accomplish the goal of improving the lives of all Aboriginal people, including women.  I look forward to a harmonious and fruitful dialogue with all of you as we continue to make this goal a daily reality. 

The Honourable Chuck Strahl,
Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for
Métis and Non-Status Indians