ONWA at UN EMRIP18
- ONWA
- Jul 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 31
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is attending the 18th session of the United Nations (UN) Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) from July 14-18, 2025, in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
Highlights
Here are some highlights from our time there (click to jump to section):
Press Release
July 3, 2025
Amplifying Indigenous Women’s Voices at the 18th Session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP18)
EMRIP is one of only a few UN entities that focus specifically on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. With the rise of anti-rights and anti-Indigenous rhetoric, and a global focus on economic development and responding to tariffs, Indigenous women’s voices and solutions are urgently needed in government and global discussions.
About the EMRIP - Why We Are Attending the Conference
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) was established by the Human Rights Council, the UN’s main human rights body, in 2007. The Expert Mechanism conducts studies to advance the promotion and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights by:
clarifying the implications of key principles, such as self-determination and free, prior and informed consent
examining good practices and challenges in a broad array of areas pertaining to Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and
suggesting measures that States and others can adopt at the level of laws, policies and programmes.
Each year, the Expert Mechanism holds a five-day session in which representatives from states, Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, civil society, inter-governmental organizations and academia take part.
🌍 ONWA is attending the 18th Session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) for three key reasons:
1️⃣ To Amplify Indigenous Women’s Voices Globally
We're bringing forward the voices of over 35 Indigenous women’s organizations. Our presence ensures that Indigenous women are heard, recognized as leaders and knowledge-bearers, and included at decision-making tables — as affirmed in UNDRIP and CEDAW GR39.
2️⃣ To Influence the UN Agenda & Hold Governments Accountable
We are speaking out to hold global stakeholders — including Canada — to their international human rights obligations. Inaction at the domestic level demands strong advocacy on the global stage.
3️⃣ To Advance ONWA’s Strategic Goals
Guided by our members and grounded in culture, ONWA’s Strategic Picture directs us to grow our international presence and elevate local issues globally — ensuring Indigenous women’s safety, leadership, and rights are prioritized.
ONWA's Side Event
Indigenous Women’s Leadership, Safety and Healing During Economic Uncertainty
2-3PM | 14h00-15h00
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Room XXII, Building E, Palais des Nations
This event is a safe space for Indigenous women and their organizations to gather and discuss Indigenous women’s leadership, safety and healing during economic uncertainty.
Indigenous women are leaders, and we are integral to the well-being and economic stability of our families and communities. Indigenous women strengthen the economy, and our contributions are critical to the collective response to economic threats.
As many States turn attention toward global relations and responding to tariffs, we must not allow safeguarding the economy to detract from the urgency of safeguarding Indigenous women’s rights and recognizing our economic contributions.
Indigenous women are invited to share their experiences and discuss approaches to ensuring Indigenous women’s rights and safety are upheld, and opportunities to realize our economic potential.
At the Conference - Day 1
Monday, July 14, 2025
Ingrid Green, Director of Research & Evaluation, ONWA, delivered an oral statement at EMRIP18 in response to EMRIP’s study on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to data. ONWA called for the study to:
1) Prioritize Indigenous women’s sovereignty and governance of our data
2) Call for States to invest in Indigenous women’s organizations
3) Acknowledge that Indigenous data governance structures must account for where Indigenous women reside and choose to enact our rights
Listen to the full statement here: https://youtu.be/WSJglVZvl8Y
By attending the 18th Session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP18) in Geneva, Switzerland, ONWA leaders are bringing Indigenous women’s voices, leadership, and lived experiences to the global stage.
“Our attendance at EMRIP is not symbolic – it is essential. Indigenous women are at the forefront of defending our lands and waters, preserving our culture, and nurturing our communities. Yet, our voices are often excluded from decision-making. We are here to change that by bringing our voices, our solutions, and our leadership to EMRIP and back home” – Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO, ONWA
At the Conference - Day 2
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
ONWA CEO, Cora McGuire-Cyrette, offered congratulations to Ms. Anexa Brendalee Alfred Cunningham on her appointment as Chairperson of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP).
To honour this leadership role, ONWA presented Ms. Cunningham with a water pail necklace — a symbol of Indigenous women’s sacred responsibility to water, life, and future generations.
This gesture celebrates the strength of Indigenous women’s leadership around the world.
Today, EMRIP held a panel discussion on the role of national and regional human rights institutions (NHRIs) in achieving the ends of UNDRIP.
Julia Whaipooti from the New Zealand Human Right Commission spoke as one of the panelists, and Aluki Kotierk, Chair of the UNPFII offered a statement.
ONWA recommends human rights institutes take two actions to achieve the ends of UNDRIP:
1) Uphold Indigenous women’s right to leadership, and
2) Push for increased State accountability and action
NHRIs and regional human rights commissions hold a significant role in promoting implementation of the UN Declaration and must take up this responsibility.
Today at #EMRIP18, the Expert Mechanism presented their report on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their traditional economies.
ONWA welcomes the report and calls for States to:
1️⃣ Ensure Indigenous women’s leadership by engaging directly with Indigenous women and our organizations.
2️⃣ Protect Indigenous women’s right to safety — There is a direct connection between the violence against Mother Earth and violence against us as Indigenous women.
Miigwetch to Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, EMRIP Member, for facilitating this critical agenda item and holding space for these vital conversations.
At the Conference - Day 3
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
ONWA's CEO, Cora McGuire-Cyrette, participated in a breakfast roundtable meeting with Peter MacDougall, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, and Indigenous leaders and organizations. ONWA spoke to the need for action and accountability to uphold Indigenous women's rights.
Today, Indigenous Peoples, States and EMRIP members discussed the topic of enhancing Indigenous Peoples participation in the UN, and specifically the Human Rights Council.
ONWA calls for the UN and Member States to enhance the participation of Indigenous women and girls, including through the representatives and organizations we choose – as affirmed by UNDRIP Article 18. We must not revert to colonial systems and structures that have caused Indigenous women harm by not including us in decision making on issues that impact our lives.
It is our inherent right and responsibility as Matriarchs, life givers and water and land defenders to speak on our own behalf and represent ourselves, our families and our future generations. We must honour this sacred responsibility as we move forward with enhancing participation in the UN.
We call on all Member States to take seriously your commitment and obligations to human rights by fully paying their contributions to the UN – Indigenous spaces in the UN are integral to the continued participation of Indigenous women and must be maintained.
