Native Women's Association of Canada

Native Women's Association of Canada
Abbreviation NWAC
Formation 1974
Type National Aboriginal Organization
Legal status active
Purpose advocate and public voice, educator and network
Headquarters Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served
 Canada
Official language
 English, French
Website nwac.ca

The Native Women's Association of Canada, or NWAC, is one of Canada's National Aboriginal Organizations, and 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 Women of the Métis Nation, NWAC has enjoyed more representation in meetings of Canadian leaders as they are generally viewed as the national voice representing Aboriginal women in Canada.[2]

History

NWAC was founded in 1973 as an aggregate of 13 Aboriginal women's groups from coast to coast to coast, 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] In September 2009 Jeannette Corbiere Lavell was elected as the organization's new president. Meanwhile, the Board studies the actions of the President and its provincial/territorial member associations and makes recommendations.[4]

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.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Native Women's Association of Canada, "About Us," URL accessed 15 July 2006.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Native Women's Association of Canada, "NWAC Structure," URL accessed 15 July 2006.
  4. ↑ Native Women's Association of Canada, "Board of Directors," URL accessed 15 July 2006.

External links