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The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization that defends the rights, delivers programming to, and amplifies the perspectives of Indigenous women in all their diversity. As a grassroots association guided by Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on a collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous women in their respective communities and Canadian societies.
Since emerging in the 1970’s, a time of significant Indigenous activism, NWAC has become a renowned advocate and supporter of Indigenous women in all their diversity. Over the last 50 years, NWAC’s history has been closely intertwined with national efforts to address challenges faced by Indigenous communities across Canada. By empowering the voices of Indigenous women, NWAC has continued the pave the way towards the advancement of Indigenous women’s rights and driving substantial national change across Canada.
In September 2024, NWAC commemorated our 50th anniversary during our Annual General Assembly in Gatineau, Quebec. However, we also recognized the outstanding work that must be tackled to address the ongoing barriers faced by Indigenous women.
With funding from Canadian Heritage, NWAC was able to commemorate the contributions we have made to Canada over the past 50 years. In 50 Years of National Advocacy, we outline our contributions in advancing the rights of Indigenous women, in all their diversity, in Canada. In doing so, we recognize how our history intertwines with significant policy changes and Indigenous movements over the last fifty years. It is through the context of the past that NWAC has been able to shape our mission and advocacy efforts over time. Moreover, our book provides insights into how NWAC will continue our work into the future.
Authors:
A national conference of Indigenous women is held in Alberta, and Bertha Clark Jones is chosen as the chairperson of the National Steering Committee. The National Steering Committee would propose a constitution and the creation of NWAC in 1972.
NWAC is legally incorporated, and Bertha Clark Jones is elected the first President of the Organization.
Despite being excluded from Constitutional Conferences, NWAC continued to push for gender-based discrimination to be removed from the Indian Act.
NWAC undertook a legal battle (NWAC v. Canada) against the Canadian government seeking the right to serve as a recognized national aboriginal group during constitutional consultations. Over the course of the following year, NWAC would be clocked from every constitutional meeting held across Canada.
NWAC v. Canada was brought before the Supreme Court of Canada which ruled in favour of the federal government’s decision to exclude NWAC from constitutional negotiations.
NWAC launched the Sisters in Spirit Campaign, which sought to lobby the federal government to establish a $10 million fund for research and education related to violence against Indigenous women.
NWAC released our final report for Sisters in Spirit entitled What their Stories Tell Us: Research findings from the Sisters in Spirit Initiative, uncovering the legacy of violence perpetuated against Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
NWAC and the Government of Canada reached the Canada – Native Women’s Association of Canada Accord. This accord seeks to enhance, promote and foster greater social, cultural, and economic well-being for Indigenous women.
NWAC published NWAC Action Plan: Our Calls, Our Actions – our response to the ongoing genocide of MMIWG2S+ informed by the 231 Calls for Justice.
NWAC hosted its 50th AGA in Gatineau, Quebec – marking 50 years of national advocacy for Indigenous women in all their diversity.
This project was made possible by funding from Canadian Heritage’s Commemorate Canada Program.
© 2025 Native Women's Association of Canada