Invitation to Attend the Initial Meeting in support of Aboriginal Women’s Leadership in BC

September 16, 2009

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Community Centre

3010 Tsleil-Waututh Road, North Vancouver

9:30 am – 4:30 pm

There are many voices of women’s leadership throughout the communities of British Columbia.

Among these voices, there are many who feel that better representation would enable women to gain strength from each other’s knowledge and experience, and collectively to influence the future of their communities. We want to restore the traditional balance that existed between our men and women before the Indian Act imposed so many devastating changes that have harmed our women.

The First Nations Summit, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs have passed resolutions showing their support for BC First Nation women leaders.

The purpose of the initial meeting is to start to bring together the many supportive parties to formalize representation, ways of working together and keeping in touch.

As the BC Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Women’s Council representative, I have been working in collaboration with First Nations organizations as well as the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) nationally and the provincial Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. I invite you to join me in that leadership role on September 16, 2009 to further plan and advance the voice of Aboriginal women’s leadership in BC.

Major objectives include: 1) discussing and establishing a BC Provincial/Territorial Membership Association of the NWAC 2) discussing role and connection with the proposed BC AFN Women’s Council 3) methods of communicating, building and maintaining a network among the Aboriginal women of British Columbia.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada 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 Nations, Metis and Canadian societies. They are aware and supportive of the development of a BC Provincial/Territorial Membership Association.

The role of the Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council is to ensure First Nations women’s perspectives are included in all AFN policy directives and that the AFN is an effective advocate on behalf of all First Nations’ women, on and off-reserve. The AFN Women’s Council has input into political decision-making through the AFN Executive Council and also works closely with the AFN Secretariat to ensure the concerns and perspectives of First Nations women inform all work at the AFN.

The roles and responsibilities of a proposed AFN Women’s Council for British Columbia will be determined by all eligible participants.

Please pass along this information to anyone you know who may be interested. All are welcome and are responsible for their own expenses.

I look forward to seeing you there.

In order to finalize meeting planning and catering, please contact Irene Mills by September 10, at (250) 953-3550 or Irene.Mills@gov.bc.ca to let her know if you will be attending or to request further information e.g. directions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Chief Lisa Shaver