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Thunder Bay, ON  – The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) extends our sincere congratulations to the newly appointed federal cabinet.  We are especially pleased to see the reinstatement of the Minister of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) position and look forward to working collaboratively with Minister Valdez in her new role.   We are also encouraged by the appointment of two Indigenous women to cabinet positions. We congratulate Mandy Gull-Masty on her appointment as the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) - for the first time, this important role is held by an Indigenous person.  We also congratulate Rebecca Chartrand on her appointment as the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. The leadership of these women marks an important step toward inclusive and representative governance. ONWA looks forward to continuing our work with the new federal government to ensure Indigenous women’s voices are heard and honoured, and our rights upheld .   For more information and media inquiries, contact:  Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

Thunder Bay, ON  – This Mother’s Day, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) honours the sacred roles of Indigenous mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and caregivers. Across generations, their love has nurtured families, carried cultural knowledge, and sustained the deep-rooted strength of community. Motherhood is a sacred gift. Mothers are some of our first teachers; through them teachings are passed down, stories are remembered, and the heartbeat of our Nations continues. Whether through birth, caregiving, or chosen family, Indigenous women carry the strength of generations and embody resilience, compassion, and unconditional love. At ONWA, we hold space for all those who mother — those walking with us today, those we remember with love, and those whose guidance lives on in our hearts. Mother’s Day is a time to pause and reflect on the warmth of shared memories, the laughter held in kitchens and living rooms, and the quiet strength that holds families together. Today is a time to honour the unspoken sacrifices, the healing presence, and the cultural wisdom of Indigenous mothers.   For more information and media inquiries, contact:  Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

Collaborative data project seeks to enhance understanding of MMIWG2S+ crisis, strengthen advocacy and highlight lack of action from Canada since the National Inquiry May 5, 2025 (Unceded Anishinabe Territory | Ottawa) — Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO), the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) and 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) announced a collaborative, Indigenous-led data project focused on Missing and Murdered First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples today. “Despite the clear path laid out by the National Inquiry, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples are still dehumanized, devalued and targeted,” says Pauktuutit President and CEO Nikki Komaksiutiksak. “This project will strengthen ongoing advocacy eff orts and pressure the Government of Canada to implement all 231 Calls for Justice identifi ed by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.” This project is intended to bring in additional Indigenous-led organizations that can assist in data collection on Missing and Murdered First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples, which will be used to raise awareness and lead to the creation of a national database — strengthening advocacy, driving social progress and changing policy. “Police forces, child welfare systems and social services lack an understanding of their role in systemic violence, resulting in unreliable and inaccurate MMIWG2S+ data,” says LFMO Director of MMIWG2S Initiatives Kristen Gilchrist-Salles. “We must put an end to the violent systems shaping this crisis — the data we collect will help us accomplish this.” “The data will help support advocacy eff orts on the ground and at the highest levels of government,” says 2SiMS National Research Coordinator Imriel Bissnette. “Today, on Red Dress Day, we ask everyone across the country to come together, hold governments accountable and put an end to the genocide of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples.” "This partnership and project is about a shared commitment to truth, accountability and walking alongside each other with respect and responsibility,” says ONWA CEO Cora McGuire-Cyrette. “It's about coming together with care and purpose to honour the lives and experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples. By using data to shine a light on systemic gaps and injustices, this work aims to support long-overdue accountability and strengthen safety, justice and healing in our communities." The organizations are working alongside CDCI and Wampum Records — who helped build the online data repository for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation together. For more information, visit: https://pauktuutit.ca/mmiwig2s/database -30- Media Contact: Jill McKenzie Director of Strategy and Media Relations pipikwan pêhtâkwan jill@pipikwanpehtakwan.com About Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada : Pauktuutit is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development. About Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak : Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LMFO) is the recognized National voice of Métis women from across the Métis Motherland informed by the expressed priorities of grassroots Métis women. About Ontario Native Women’s Association : The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a not for profit organization to empower and support 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. About 2 Spirits in Motion Society : The 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) is a registered national non-profit society that seeks to create, maintain, and strengthen a safe and supportive environment for 2 Spirit people to express themselves through cultural ways of knowing and being around gender and sexuality; and to succeed and be empowered in all areas that are grounded in the medicines that 2 Spirit people carry.

Would you like to access one of our programs or services? 1-800-667-0816 CONTACT ONWA Youth Cultural Intervention Program DELIVERY SITES Thunder Bay ONWA SITES (ADDRESSES) Overview Youth Cultural Intervention Program provides immediate support to Indigenous youth involved with, transitioning out, or at risk of involvement in the justice systems, police involvement, probation and parole systems. Services Offered Youth Cultural Intervention Program assists to build capacity, connection, identity and self-esteem to reinforce safety, stabilization and positive outcomes. Intensive case management Immediate crisis support Referrals and connections to supports and resources, including Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Traditional Healers Access to traditional supports and ceremony, teachings and land-based therapy that is holistic and community, client and family centered Housing supports Education resources Employment services and training Self-Esteem, cultural identity and life skills program, rites of passage and ways of knowing Culturally relevant trauma informed mental health and wellness service and supports

Would you like to access one of our programs or services? 1-800-667-0816 CONTACT ONWA Babaamendam TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE Overview Trauma-Informed Care (Babaamendam) creates a safe space for Indigenous women and their families, meeting them where they are at in their journey of exiting oppressive and violent situations. Services Offered Trauma-Informed Care supports Indigenous women and their families who are affected by trauma to navigate mental health, addiction, and clinical services in their community. Safety planning and plans of care Supportive and traditional Indigenous counselling Advocacy and referrals Access to traditional ceremony and cultural teachings Cultural supports and holistic services Land-based therapy Traditional healing Connection to community resources Education and awareness Accompaniment as requested and needed DELIVERY SITES Provincially Available Hamilton Napanee Ottawa Thunder Bay Timmins ONWA SITES (ADDRESSES) OTHER RESOURCES PROGRAM BROCHURE

Would you like to access one of our programs or services? 1-800-667-0816 CONTACT ONWA Community Wellness DO YOU HAVE THE SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE YOUR SITUATION? Overview Community Wellness Program assists with the prevention of family violence, promotion of health awareness, and peer based mental health support. Services Offered The Community Wellness program delivers strength based, culturally grounded programming. Safety planning Plans of care Family and community violence prevention and education Healthy lifestyle promotion Referrals (internal and external) Assessments Historical and intergenerational education and support Emergency support Traditional healing (Elders and Traditional Healers) Land-based activities Cultural supports and ceremonies DELIVERY SITES K enora Thunder Bay ONWA SITES (ADDRESSES) OTHER RESOURCES PROGRAM BROCHURE