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ONWA at UN EMRIP18

  • ONWA
  • 9 hours ago
  • 2 min read

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


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.



You are invited to attend

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.


Speakers (left to right): Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Native Women’s Association; Rabiatou Ahmadou, Political Participation and Advocacy Coordinator, Foro International de Mujeres Indigenas/International Indigenous Women’s Forum; Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, Professor, Department of Political Science and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto; Member, EMRIP; Dr. Valmaine Toki, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Waikato; Chairperson, EMRIP; Dr. Albert Barume, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Speakers (left to right): Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Native Women’s Association; Rabiatou Ahmadou, Political Participation and Advocacy Coordinator, Foro International de Mujeres Indigenas/International Indigenous Women’s Forum; Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, Professor, Department of Political Science and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto; Member, EMRIP; Dr. Valmaine Toki, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Waikato; Chairperson, EMRIP; Dr. Albert Barume, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples


At the Conference - Day 1


Coming Soon!



At the Conference - Day 2


Coming Soon!



At the Conference - Day 3


Coming Soon!

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