First Nations Leaders Call for Safety, Equality, Respect to Mark International Women’s Day

(Ottawa, ON):  Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde, together with Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson and AFN Women’s Council Chair Therese Villeneuve, today marked International Women’s Day by Canadians to celebrate the success of Indigenous women in Canada, and honour them by ensuring their safety, education and equality.

“Today we celebrate the many essential contributions women make at the centre of our families and our communities,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde.  “Our relationships with our mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters are sacred and they must be respected.  Today we celebrate the success of Indigenous women across Canada and we honour them by committing to their safety, education, employment and equality wherever they reside.”

 

Women

International Women’s Day is acknowledged annually March 8.  It celebrates social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.  This year’s international theme is focused on gender parity.

“First Nations women still have many challenges ahead of us in terms of equality and equity at all levels, whether it be among First Nation governments, provincial or federal,” said Okanese First Nation Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier who is the longest serving female Chief in Canada.  “Efforts must be made to promote, provide and support upper level management and political opportunities for First Nations women.”

“Indigenous women in Canada should have access to the same opportunity as every other Canadian – male or female,” said AFN Women’s Council Chair Therese Villeneuve.  “The AFN women’s council supports and promotes Indigenous women in leadership roles in our communities and across the country.  We celebrate our sisters who are thriving in their homes and family units and in business and high level careers.  Every role must be respected and every woman and young girl must be supported to fulfil their dreams for success.”

International Women’s Day follows the second National Roundtable on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls which last month brought together Indigenous families, leaders and federal, provincial, territorial leaders to set priorities to address and prevent violence.

“Safety and security for Indigenous women and girls is an urgent priority that requires immediate attention and long-term, coordinated action that will address head-on the vulnerabilities that lead to violence,” said AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson who leads efforts in the area of justice and addressing violence against Indigenous women and girls.  “There is no quick fix or easy answer, but with the appropriate investments in shelters, day cares, education and housing (just to name some), we will be able to better achieve safety and better support success.”

For more information on work toward a national action plan to address and prevent violence against women and girls and the upcoming 2016 National Roundtable please visit:  http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/i-pledge.-end-violence.

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

For more information please contact:

Jenna Young Castro AFN Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca

Roger Gallant talks about the importance of the Elders’ teachings

Figuring out where to go as a Nation and how to get there, learning to heal and finding your family roots are some of the topics discussed by Roger Gallant (ʔac̓ik) in the video of the week.

Come to our Community Engagement Sessions

UPDATE: Victoria’s Engagement Session has been changed to today, December 18, 2015. They will be held at the Uptown Community Room in the Uptown mall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the meeting to follow.

Our Executive Council has identified Economic Development as a top priority for the Nation.

First thing in the new year, we are holding Community Engagement Sessions in Anacla, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver.

This will be an opportunity to share with citizens the financial plan moving forward in the morning. They will also unveil the Nation’s Economic Development Report and Plan in the afternoon.

čuu kʷaač (Join us!)

January Community Engagement Sessions

Participate in the Huu-ay-aht Tsunami Debris Cleanup!

Tsunami debris is a danger to wildlife. As it was originally submerged in the marine environment (e.g. docks and  ships), it can contain coastal aquatic invasive species. There is also terrestrial origin debris such as electrical goods, clothes and door frames. None of us would like to be exposed to these! Give us a hand, then!

Amelia Vos, Environmental Technician, is happy to announce that Huu-ay-aht will be participating in the Tsunami Debris Cleanup Event of  Edward King and Diana Island. Staff, Anacla residents and Huu-ay-aht citizens are invited to volunteer with the Marine Station students. This is an excellent time to showcase the values of our Nation by working together to keep our coastal ecosystems clean and healthy.

Join us on November 12th and 13th, from 10 am to 2 pm, on the islands mentioned above, which are part of Huu-ay-aht’s Traditional Territory. Every participant will get a complimentary t-shirt, lunch and beverages. Contact Amelia now via email (amelia.v@huuayaht.org) or call her at 1-888-644-4555 or 250-728-3414 to register.

Click on the image to download some historical facts on tsunamis in this country:

Timeline

Source: Catalyst for Science

James Spencer, Registered Professional Biologist who currently manages JAS Projects as an Environmental and Economic Development Consultant, and Amelia received a contract through the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) to coordinate tsunami debris cleanups in all the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. So far,  they have organized two successful cleanups with Toquaht and Uchucklesaht First Nations (UFN).  They will continue to coordinate with Tseshaht, UFN, Hesquiat, Ahousaht, and Ditidaht.  To guarantee the continuity of this project, local First Nations must support the initiative.

One of the main objectives is to raise awareness on how to respond to marine and tsunami debris in and on coastal territory.  Huu-ay-aht First Nations looks forward to working with its neighbours to get stronger and more in touch with nature as our ancestors taught us.

Did you know?

Enjoy this virtual exhibit about The Great Tsunami of 1964! Click on the image to see the gallery and read the stories:

Virtual_Exhibit

Tsunami Smart: Get the 101

Other resources

Emergency Info BC

Remembering the 1964 Port Alberni tsunami

This Week in History: Huge earthquake set off a tsunami that devastated Port Alberni

Natural Disasters CBC Digital archives

 

 

Submit your motions for the People’s Assembly 2015!

What would you like to see Huu-ay-aht accomplish within the next four years?

You can answer this question or send your proposals as motions. They can be made on any subject. If you require assistance in the wording of them, the Law Clerk, Kim Chretien, and if necessary legal counsel, is available to help at no cost. If you would like assistance, please contact us as soon as possible and, in any event, by November 2nd to allow us time to draft it before the deadline.

Motions submitted on November 3rd, 2015 will be added to the agenda for the People’s Assembly and included in the public notice. We strongly encourage citizens wishing to bring a motion to do so timely. Motions made after that date can be walked in, but there is no guarantee that they will be considered –the People’s Assembly will need to vote to add them to the agenda. In addition, the Executive Council will prepare and circulate reports on any motions on the agenda as of November 3rd, 2015, allowing you to be informed on the issues they will be asked to consider.

The People’s Assembly is on November 20th, 21st and 22nd this year. You must register by filling the PDF/online form here http://huuayaht.org/2015/09/22/peoples-assembly-registration/  or calling 250-723-0100.  Accommodations at the Best Western Barclay and childminding will be supplied for the event.

People’s Assembly updates

Notice of motions

Send your motions here! or call Coraleah Johnson at 250.723.0100, Ext. 224.

Once your details are sent, you will see a similar text displayed:

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