(MEDIA ADVISORY)
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is reacting to the Government of Ontario’s response to the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. To view the report go to: Ontario.ca/PathwaysToSafety (English), or Ontario.ca/parcoursverslasecurite (French)
With the truth uncovered and the government respecting the recommendations of Indigenous women, the plan is a solid foundation for lasting change. The government’s plan outlines six key areas where action is needed. It comes a year after ONWA released its own response to the National Inquiry, Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2020).
Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director, ONWA, and Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard, President, ONWA are available for interviews to discuss:
How the government’s response was informed by its Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council, co-chaired by Cora McGuire-Cyrette.
The necessity of each area of action and how they intersect; including pathways to safety and security (prevention and healing), culture (education and language), health and well-being (community renewal and restoration), justice (systems and structural change), collaborative responsibility and accountability, and addressing systemic anti-Indigenous racism and Indigenous gender-based analysis.
The importance of a community approach to ending this tragedy, rather than focusing on each individual.
The root causes of MMIWG, including the legacy of residential schools, the Indian Act and other forms of systemic racism and trauma.
The intergenerational effects of this suffering, and the need to support the children of MMIWG and future generations of Indigenous women.
How we are collectively responsible for this tragedy and need to work together to implement the recommendations, while centering Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, their knowledge and experiences.
For further information:
Dave Bennett
Xposure PR
905-339-6668
Andre Morriseau
Communications Manager, ONWA
647-970-7661
The Ontario Native Women’s Association
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a non-profit organization that empowers and supports all Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario through research, advocacy, policy development and programs that focus on local, regional and provincial activities, since 1971. Ending violence against Indigenous women and their families and ensuring equal access to justice, education, health services, environmental stewardship and economic development, sit at the cornerstone of the organization. ONWA insists on social and cultural wellbeing for all Indigenous women and their families, so that all women, regardless of tribal heritage may live their best life.
Website: www.onwa.ca | Twitter: @_ONWA_ | Facebook: ONWA7 | Instagram: onwa_official | LinkedIn: Ontario Native Women's Association
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