About

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization representing political voices of Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse+ (WG2STGD+) People in Canada. NWAC is inclusive of First Nations—on- and off-reserve, status, non-status, and disenfranchised—Inuit, and Métis. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on a collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous WG2STGD+ People in their respective communities and Canadian societies.

Since 1974, NWAC has established strong and lasting governance structures, decision-making processes, financial policies and procedures, and networks, to achieve its overall mission, vision, and goals. Today, NWAC engages in national and international advocacy aimed at legislative and policy reforms to promote equality for Indigenous WG2STGD+ and LGBTQQIA+ People. Through advocacy, policy, and legislative analysis, NWAC works to preserve Indigenous culture and advance the wellbeing of all Indigenous WG2STGD+ People, as well as their families and communities.

NWAC works on a variety of issues, including: Employment, labour and business, health, violence prevention and safety, justice and human rights, environment, early learning childcare, and international affairs.

NWAC provides support much like a “Grandmother’s Lodge.” We—as aunties, mothers, sisters, brothers, and relatives—collectively recognize, respect, promote, defend, and enhance our Indigenous ancestral laws, spiritual beliefs, language, and Traditions provided by the Creator.

Mission

Advocate for and inspire women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and the families of many Indigenous nations.

Vision

We envision an inclusive world that understands and respects the diversity and uniqueness of all Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and families.

Elements of Vision

We envision Indigenous communities where all individuals have an opportunity to develop their talents to achieve their full potential.

We envision communities where all people can lead healthy lifestyles by maintaining balance in their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.

We envision communities that build a sense of pride and a strong identification of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as who they are.

We seek to broaden Knowledge of issues affecting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their relationships with the environment and the land.

We see communities where all our people have an opportunity to learn our history and Traditional Ways, while attaining a high level of academic education.

We envision Indigenous children who are proud of who they are, and comfortable in a predominantly non-Indigenous environment.

We see communities where all Indigenous Peoples understand, respect, and embrace diversities and uniqueness of all Indigenous nations, while actively accepting and exercising their responsibilities in contributing to strong communities.

We see communities working in unity with all other Indigenous organizations to strengthen, and maintain, Indigenous and treaty rights, as well as assume responsibility in selecting leaders.

Finally, we see Indigenous communities with authority to determine how natural resources are utilized, and that can coexist in cooperation with society–free of racism and discrimination.

Strategic Goals

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) strives to achieve its strategic goals and objectives by overcoming risks and challenges to harness opportunities that build on strengths. We accomplish this by:

1. Building a strong, resilient organization, through internal capacity building.
2. Being a full and equal participant on key issues of relevance to Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, and their families.
3. Increasing communication and resource capacities of all Provincial and Territorial Member Associations (PTMAs).
4. Building leadership capacity for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Objectives

NWAC’s objectives, or principles, are as follows:

• To be the national voice for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
• To address issues in a manner that reflects changing needs of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Canada.
• To assist and promote common goals of self-determination and self-sufficiency for Indigenous Peoples in roles of mothers and leaders.
• To promote equal opportunities for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in all programs and activities.
• To serve as a resource among our constituents and Indigenous communities.
• To cultivate and teach characteristics that are unique to our cultural and historical Traditions.
• To assist Indigenous women’s organizations, as well as community initiatives, in the development of local projects.
• To advance issues and concerns of Indigenous women, bringing together Indigenous organizations with common goals.