NWAC President Lorraine Whitman Disappointed to Learn of Recent Events on Wet'suwet'en Nation Traditional Territory

Ottawa, ON, February 12, 2020 – The President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) Lorraine Whitman today acknowledged her disappointment regarding recent events in Wet'suwet'en Nation traditional territory in Northern B.C.

“The honouring of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is an essential matter of reconciliation,” she said.

More disappointing still is the federal government’s lack of progress in implementing the 231 Calls for Justice contained in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. President Whitman urged all levels of government to take swift action to fully implement the Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice.

On February 10, 2020, three women were arrested while holding a ceremony to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in the Unist’ot’en Camp. During the arrests, the red dresses that were hung from the trees to symbolize those lost were removed by the RCMP .

"Indigenous women across Canada must have their voices heard. Implementing the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice is a meaningful step toward reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous peoples, and in particular Indigenous women and girls,” President Whitman added.

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The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women. NWAC is an aggregate of thirteen Native women’s organizations from across Canada and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1974.

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