The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is the national voice for Indigenous Women, Girls, Transgender, and Gender-Diverse people. Everything we do comes from this place, this focus on the people we serve.

In this issue of Shining the Spotlight, you’ll read all about many of the issues we care about and the specific files we are working on. You’ll read about our work on issues related to the environment, Indigenous languages, health, intergenerational trauma, employment equity, child and family services, as well as our work to promote Indigenous women entrepreneurs and providing Indigenous youth with tools for rekindling communities and intergenerational connections.

Let’s unpack some of these issues.

When it comes to employment equity, there’s a direct correlation between the work we’re doing on this file and helping to improve the lives of the people we represent, including advocating for increased mental health supports for Indigenous women and gender-diverse workers.

Climate change is another huge issue. It affects all of us, and as the voice for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, NWAC is working hard here at home in Canada and internationally to advocate for the protection of Mother Earth and the right to both water and food security. That’s why we are engaged in discussions with the federal government on changes to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act; calling on the need for increased decision-making power at the grassroots level through the Water Carrier Phase 2 project; and ensuring the voices of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people are heard at international forums like COP27, where NWAC was invited to form part of the Canadian delegation.

And, when it comes to child and family services, NWAC has been loud and clear that jurisdiction for the well-being of our children must be returned to Indigenous bodies. You’ll read about the recent work our Legal Affairs and Justice Unit has been doing in addressing NWAC’s concerns about this humanitarian crisis where over half of the children in state care are Indigenous.

The articles in this issue of our newsletter only touch on some of the many topics in which NWAC is involved. On every file we work on, NWAC is ever mindful of our mission to advocate for and inspire women, girls, 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, and the families of many Indigenous nations. Every action we take is designed to move us toward achieving an inclusive world that understands and respects the diversity and uniqueness of all Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQAI+ people, and families.