Native Women's Association of Canada

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The Native Women's Association of Canada, or NWAC, is an organization in Canada that represents Aboriginal women, particularly First Nations and Métis women.^[1] Inuit women are represented by the separate organization, Pauktuutit. Despite the existence of Pauktuutit and the Metis National Council of Women, NWAC has enjoyed more representation in meetings of Canadian leaders.^[2]

NWAC was founded in 1974 as a union of 13 Aboriginal women's groups, with the goals of preserving Aboriginal culture, achieving equal opportunity for Aboriginal women, and having a role in shaping legislation relevant to Aboriginal women.^[1] NWAC is led by a president and board of directors, who cooperate and exchange information with local organizations.^[3] Since 2004, the president has been Beverley Jacobs, who has visited many communities and spoken against physical abuse of women.^[4] Meanwhile, the Board studies the actions of the President and local organizations and makes recommendations.^[5]

In 1992, when the Charlottetown Accord was being negotiated, the federal government included four Aboriginal groups in negotiations and gave them money. NWAC, which was not included, alleged the four groups primarily represented Aboriginal men and launched a court challenge for representation, claiming to have been denied rights to freedom of expression under section 2 and sexual equality under section 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the case of Native Women's Association of Canada v. Canada (1994), the Supreme Court of Canada found against NWAC.

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Native Women's Association of Canada, "About Us," URL accessed 15 July 2006.
^ Frances Abele and Michael J. Prince, "Alternative Futures: Aboriginal Peoples and Canadian Federalism," in Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness, and Legitimacy, eds. Herman Bakvis and Grace Skogstad, (Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 225.
^ Native Women's Association of Canada, "NWAC Structure," URL accessed 15 July 2006.
^ Native Women's Association of Canada, "President's Bio," URL accessed 15 July 2006.
^ Native Women's Association of Canada, "Board of Directors," URL accessed 15 July 2006.