Press Release --- For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON (September 7, 2010) -- Aboriginal women and girls are facing the most pervasive human rights crisis in Canada today. In effort to address the issue, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is encouraging Canadians to take action by hosting a Sisters In Spirit Vigil on October 4th 2010.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(September 3rd, 2010)
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has been asked to share the following information:
A Walk and Candlelight vigil will be held for Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander in Kitigan Zibi, QC on Monday, September 6th 2010.

Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander are two beautiful and vibrant young women who disappeared without a trace on September 5th, 2008. After two years their families, friends, and loved ones remain committed to their search and finding answers.

The walk will start at Home Hardware and go straight through town on the main street to the river, then walk by Woodland school up to Nagishkodadiwin Park across from the Chateau Logue Hotel. We will end with an address from the following speakers:

Press Release --- For Immediate Release

Ottawa ON (August 10, 2010)-- The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) would like to extend a warm welcome to John Duncan, the newly appointed Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

John Duncan, a Conservative MP for B.C. will replace Chuck Strahl, who has held the post since 2007, and will take over the Transport portfolio. Duncan brings a wealth of experience to the position and he has served as Strahl’s parliamentary secretary at Indian Affairs and Northern Development since 2008.

Press Release—for Immediate Release

Ottawa ON (August 3, 2010) --The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) will attend the meeting of the Council of the Federation this week, in Winnipeg MB, alongside Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. The Premiers and leaders of National Aboriginal organizations will meet in the northern Manitoba town of Churchill, on August 4th, to discuss Canada’s Economic Action Plan and how the unique experiences of Aboriginal peoples will be reflected within this plan.

July 28th, 2010
Dear friends,

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has just recently learned of and would like extend our appreciation for the support by NDP MP Irene Mathyssen and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) in their creation of a petition to ensure that the Federal Government take steps to renew funding for Phase II of the Sisters In Spirit (SIS) initiative called “Evidence to Action.”

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON (July 19, 2010) – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is pleased with the announcement by the Manitoba RCMP that charges have been laid in the 2004 murder of “Divas” Joseph Bélanger. Ms. Bélanger was a transgendered person last seen in the early hours of October 1, 2004 and later found within the Winnipeg city limits where she had died of blunt force trauma. Her death was a tragedy and it is with hope that the announcement today will bring some peace to her family.

Press Release—For Immediate Release

Ottawa ON (July 15, 2010) --The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is pleased to announce it will now be accepting applications for the 2010 Helen Bassett Commemorative Student Award. Prized at $1,000 the award will be granted to four young Aboriginal women in Canada who are pursuing their post secondary studies.

Press Release—For Immediate Release

Saskatoon, (SK) July 12, 2010 -- The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) will join the Muskego family for the Awareness walk on Monday July 12, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Diefenbaker Centre at the University of Saksatchewan. The leadership of NWAC applauds the Muskego family for their strength, courage, leadership, and dedication to raising awareness of missing and murdered women and girls in Canada. Their voices have been part of the chorus which has broken the silence surrounding violence facing Aboriginal women across this country. Please join the Muskego family in their continued effort to end the human rights crisis that has stolen more than 580 women and girls from their families and their loved ones.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(July 9, 2010)

NWAC has been asked by the Muskego family to share the following information: An Awareness Walk/Memorial Run will be held in Saskatoon from July 13-16 by the Muskego family in dedication to the memory of the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women in Canada. Daleen Bosse (Muskego) is one such woman who went missing in May, 2004 in Saskatoon. Her remains were found near Martinsville, SK in August, 2008.

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON (June 15, 2010) The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is pleased to announce it will provide direct and immediate opportunities for leadership development and attainment for Aboriginal women and youth in literacy and essential skills via strategic partnerships. This will be done through the national Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund (ASTSIF) Project called "Building The Spirit". It is a national scope project that will provide accreditation, certification, and designation to Aboriginal women and youth throughout Canada and is funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).