Message from the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie

 

It gives me great pleasure to send greetings to the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit 2008 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The theme for this year’s Summit is Strong Women: Strong Communities. I can’t think of a more appropriate theme. The voices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis women are indeed growing stronger and the changes brought about by their increased participation are evident in communities across the country.

Our government remains committed to removing the barriers facing Aboriginal women. Within Status of Women Canada, the Women’s Program provides funding to Canadian organizations for projects that benefit Aboriginal women in Canada. Our approach fosters collaboration, creates partnerships, provides opportunities for joint action, and ultimately achieves meaningful, lasting change.

In preparation for Summit 2008, Status of Women Canada recently hosted a workshop, Moving Toward Culturally Relevant Gender-Based Analysis, which brought together representatives from Aboriginal organizations and government. Participants explored and shared knowledge about culturally relevant forms of gender-based analysis and began developing a culturally appropriate policy framework for community action in support of Aboriginal women.

Status of Women Canada is also collaborating with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) on the national Sisters in Spirit campaign to address the factors underlying racialized, sexualized violence against Aboriginal women. In addition, Status of Women Canada works with other government departments to address four key policy areas identified by NWAC: reduced violence; improved education and employment outcomes; safe housing; and justice.

We have come a long way and we have overcome many challenges, but we must remain vigilant in our work to advance women’s human rights.

I have no doubt that the presentations and discussions over the next few days will be groundbreaking, stimulating and fruitful. My colleagues and I look forward to the outcomes of this Summit to inform our future actions in support of Aboriginal women, their families and their communities.

Please accept my heartfelt good wishes for a successful Summit.

 

The Honourable Josée Verner, P.C., M.P.