Policy Sectors

Press Release

Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) receives Throne Speech with cautious optimism; will press federal government to deliver on its promises

23 November, 2021

OTTAWA – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) was heartened to hear the Throne Speech – delivered by the first Indigenous Governor General Mary Simon, today.

But “the Indigenous women of Canada have heard many other promises in past Throne Speeches that have gone unfulfilled,” said NWAC CEO Lynne Groulx. “We will congratulate the government only when we see that this new slate of commitments leads to real action. It is time for the government to rebuild trust with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of this country. It’s time for a paradigm shift for transformational change. ”

NWAC’s top priority is ending the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has said that will happen only when the social and economic marginalization that afflicts them is ended.

That will require the programs, services, and resources that were promised in today’s Speech from the Throne. But those solutions must also be led by Indigenous people, not delivered in a top-down manner.

“Indigenous women are ready to chart their own path to a brighter, safer, more prosperous future,” said Ms. Groulx. “If the promises of the Throne Speech are met – and are met in a way that respects our right to self-determination – the transformative change will begin. If not, we will be looking back on another Throne Speech full of empty words and no progress.”

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Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Roselie LeBlanc
roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (604) 928-3233

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Roselie LeBlanc
roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (604) 928-3233


About The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls, transgender, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

À propos de l'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada

L'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada (AFAC) est une organisation autochtone nationale qui représente la voix politique des femmes, des filles, des transgenres, des bispirituels et des personnes de sexe différent au Canada, y compris les membres des Premières nations vivant dans les réserves et hors réserve, les Indiens inscrits et non inscrits, les personnes privées de leurs droits, les Métis et les Inuits. Regroupant des organisations de femmes autochtones de tout le pays, l'AFAC a été fondée dans le but collectif d'améliorer, de promouvoir et de favoriser le bien-être social, économique, culturel et politique des femmes autochtones au sein de leurs communautés respectives et des sociétés canadiennes.