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Ottawa, ON – Today, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) honours International Inuit Day, celebrated each year on November 7th. This important day of recognition was established in 2006 by the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), an international non-governmental organization representing Arctic peoples (the Inuit, the Yupik, and the Chukchi) living in Canada, Greenland, and parts of the United States and Russia (Alaska and the Chukchi Peninsula, respectively). ONWA celebrates and honours the voices of Indigenous women and girls as they contribute in leadership roles in the family community and internationally. We wish to celebrate accomplished Inuit women and their extraordinary diverse achievements. Today we honour Inuit women such as Governor General Mary Simon ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪ Inuktitut: Ningiukudluk the first Indigenous Governor General in Canada, and Susan Aglukark, OC ᓲᓴᓐ ᐊᒡᓘᒃᑲᖅ whose blend of Inuit folk music traditions with country and pop songwriting has made her a major recording star around the world. These women are but a few Inuit women proudly standing shoulder to shoulder with their Inuit sisters throughout the north. “As an Inuk woman from Nunavut, International Inuit Day removes arbitrary border lines. As gatekeepers to the north we choose to celebrate the beauty of our unique and distinct culture throughout the Arctic regions. Let’s all take the time today to show our appreciation of Inuit contributions to art, language, sport, traditions and so much more.” – Roxanne Ruediger, ONWA, Director of Corporate Services “To me, as a female Inuk, International Inuit Day represents all the hard work that my forefathers and foremothers have done to advocate for our rights, our culture, and our language. It is a day for us to come together as a community to celebrate our accomplishments, our rich Inuit heritage, and traditions. It is important to preserve our culture and language; we collectively do this through our songs, drum dances, throat singing, story telling, hunting and the sewing of our garments which is passed down from one generation to another. I am proud to be Inuk and I am proud to me.” – Stephanie (Mikki) Adams, Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families, Ottawa Join ONWA online November 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm EST in celebrating Inuit heritage with guest speaker Vicky auf der Mauer. Vicky (she/ her) is a proud Inuk Woman from the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, she is on a mission to share her experiences and beautiful culture. She gives talks across Turtle Island to students, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams encouraging them to unlearn mainstream messages about money. She speaks about tapping into their power, and creating change to the systems that have created an unsustainable imbalanced and unwell society. To register visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkf-uhrDkjEtA-AV1dAP53tfk4nhnyKBpc For more information and media inquiries, contact: Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) wishes to congratulate Waub Kinew on his historic victory elected as the very first First Nations Premier of any province in Canada. Waub Kinew has been gifted an opportunity by the people of Manitoba to lead the province forward in a good way. Creator has guided him on his journey to the highest level of leadership in the province. “Congratulations to Premier elect Kinew. His personal motivation to move the Prairie Green Landfill issue forward is an act of political courage and commitment on the road to a safer more equitable society for Indigenous women and girls.” Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO, ONWA. 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 – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) invites families, friends, and community members to attend the Sisters in Spirit Vigils on October 4, 2023. This year’s vigil further highlights the need for action across Turtle Island in the wake of inaction to search the Prairie Green Landfill in Winnipeg and recent injustices such as the early release of Brayden Bushby whose actions led to the death of Barbara Kentner. Launched in 2005, the Sisters in Spirit Vigils continues to draw much needed awareness to violence against Indigenous women and girls. The vigils support and honour the stories, experiences, lives, and memory of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Register to attend ONWA’s annual Sister in Spirit Vigil at https://bit.ly/3rpzmHB. The event is available online (via Zoom) and in-person (380 Ray Blvd., Thunder Bay) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST on Wednesday October 4, 2023. In-person participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one(s), their hand drums, and a red dress to add to a commemorative red dress display. The Medicine Lines of Womanhood: MMIWG Commemorative Art Project will be on display at the ONWA Sister in Spirit Vigil. ONWA also invites you to: · Learn more about MMIWG by visiting the ONWA MMIWG webpage which hosts resources, videos, and reports: https://www.onwa.ca/learning-resources-mmiwg · Read and share the ONWA Report “Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” available on: https://www.onwa.ca/reports If you or a family member have been impacted and require emotional support, contact the 24-hour Talk4Healing helpline at 1-855-554-HEAL (4325). 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 – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) would like to acknowledge the heartbreaking loss of all the children recovered, and yet to be recovered, in unmarked graves at former residential schools across Canada. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which for many years has been recognized by Indigenous communities as “Orange Shirt Day”, is a time to come together to promote awareness and healing. ONWA recognizes the trauma the Residential School legacy has left behind, and how these traumas still affect people today. As such, ONWA will continue to empower and support Indigenous people, particularly Indigenous women and mothers, through trauma-informed and strength-based services, activities, and events. Indigenous women know that the children are the future. Indigenous matriarchal ways of knowing and being support an essential pathway to creating safety for Indigenous women and children. Dismantling systemic racism is foundational to true reconciliation. ONWA invites you to engage with your local community to help honour and support the people in your community to heal and share their stories in a safe way. Please join ONWA by participating or coordinating an event in your community to help raise awareness on this day and every day until all the children are found. We invite you to share your photos with ONWA on social media with the #ONWAOrangeShirtDay hashtag to show what you are doing in your own community to help raise awareness and honour this day. ONWA also invites you to learn more about the Residential School System Legacy and its impacts by reading the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC): · The TRC Summary Report · The TRC Full Report · Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action If you or a family member have been impacted and require emotional support, contact the 24-Hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. About the History Orange Shirt Day is an annual event held on September 30th that honours the stories, experiences, and lives of those who attended Residential School. This day encourages the sharing of stories; empowering Survivors, their families, and their communities to heal from their trauma and acknowledging the lasting effects of those experiences. This day also provides an opportunity for meaningful reconciliation through local, provincial, and national activities that honour and recognize the strength of not only the Survivors of Residential Schools but of all Indigenous children affected by its Legacy. Orange Shirt Day started in May 2013 because of Residential School survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad speaking out about her experience. She spoke about how the Orange Shirt her grandmother gave her was taken on her first day and never returned. Phyllis said that orange will always remind her of her experience at Residential School and how no one cared and that she felt she did not matter. By wearing orange on this day, she shares the powerful message that “Every Child Matters”. In 2021, the Federal Government’s officially designated September 30th as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to allow Canadians an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools. This designation fulfills one of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. For more information and media inquiries, contact: Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

As the oldest and largest Indigenous women’s organization in Canada, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is grounded in Indigenous women’s wisdom and knowledge. The voices and teachings from Indigenous women and Elders tell us that gender and sexuality diversity is fluid, and that binaries around gender and sexuality are Western social constructs that did not exist for Indigenous peoples prior to Contact. ONWA celebrates and recognizes the unique gifts given to us all by Creator and we know that supporting the Two-Spirit community strengthens the values that the Seven Grandfather Teachings have gifted us. ONWA opposes the transphobic rallies that have occurred this week and have strong concerns for the impact that this rhetoric might have on Two-Spirit peoples. No Indigenous child should be made to feel that who they are is wrong. No Indigenous child should have to feel that they cannot live their lives authentic to who they are. No Indigenous child should have to fear for their safety at home or in school. Indigenous matriarchal ways of knowing and being tell us that Indigenous children have inherent value, are gifts from Creator, are here for a purpose, and are our future. All Indigenous children deserve our love, respect, and understanding. We know that for Indigenous children to feel safe, they must not only be accepted, but celebrated and honoured for all the wonderful things that make them who they are. At ONWA, we welcome all the gifts that Indigenous Two-Spirit children and youth provide to our community. Indigenous children and youth are the center of our community. We must work together and surround them with love and acceptance so that they can be safe, healthy, and well, now and for the future, as we recognize that they are the future leaders and changemakers for the next generations. When we use the lessons from our teachings to lead with love, we can help to make things safer for Two-Spirit children and youth. This in turn makes it safer for all – our families, communities, and society.

Mother Earth: Women are medicine Land. Healing. Roles The Ontario Native Women's Association Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference serves as a powerful testament to the resilience, strength, and unity of Indigenous women across the province. As delegates gather, they bring with them a wealth of experiences, traditions, and aspirations, creating a vibrant tapestry of Indigenous voices. We embark on a journey to explore the impact and significance of this assembly, delving into the stories and initiatives that shape the ONWA's vision for a brighter, more inclusive future. Join the oldest and largest Indigenous Women's Organization in Canada as we celebrate the 52nd AGA! Highlights: Read the Press Release Annual General Assembly (AGA) Leadership Conference Awards Gala Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Pow Wow Friday September 8, 2023 - Annual General Assembly What is your commitment to Mother Earth? We are looking forwards to seeing commitments on the "Make a commitment to Mother Earth" chalkboard up at the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)'s 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference happening this weekend (September 8-10, 2023). Enjoy this time lapse as we prepare the chalkboard! "Indigenous women’s voices must be centered in all conversations about Mother Earth. We are at a critical junction-we must make a choice”. - Tina Bobinski, Sr. director, Community Development, ONWA 🌐 Our Caucus Engagements on ONWA’s Mother Earth Strategy is in full swing! Attendees are engaged, sharing ideas, and learning together. 🤝 "We know that Indigenous women’s wellness is inextricably linked to the health of Mother Earth. Indigenous women have inherent knowledge about how to protect and sustain Mother Earth – our knowledge and solutions are needed now more than ever." - Debra Vermette, President, ONWA ONWA knows that the wellness of the land is linked to the wellness of Indigenous women and their families, now and for future generations. Indigenous women and girls have the responsibility to protect and support Mother Earth. We must reconcile our relations with the water, land, and with each other. We were honoured to have artist Devon Kerslake of Think Link Graphics creating a mural at the AGA. Saturday September 9, 2023 - Leadership Conference "Indigenous women’s leadership comes from the leadership in rooms just like this. The knowledge that Indigenous women bring to future generations strengthens us and is inspiring". - Chief Michele Solomon, Fort William First Nation “WhenI look at the people who have come together in this room; the knowledge, energy and capacity I know we can really thrive as a community“. - His Worship, Mayor Ken Boshcoff, City of Thunder Bay “We need strong partnerships to create safety and strengthen our communities.” - Chief Darcy Fleury, Thunder Bay Police Service Welcoming Remarks from the Honourable Michael Tibollo, As/Minister of Mental Health and Addictions at the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)'s 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference. Welcoming Remarks video from the Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social, and the Honourable Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. Read the Welcoming Remarks from the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. ONWA Youth Directors amplify their voices to ignite change! They could not attend this portion of the AGA today, as they are taking up their leadership roles where the live - working, attending school, and fulfilling their commitments to community. However, we were honoured to be able to spotlight some of the awesome things they have achieved. As part of our Youth Envisioning Change we played the "Inspiring Future Leaders" variation of the Legends of the Four Winds – ONWA Dice Game Activity. It was fun and inspiring! Above are some photos from the event. Want to play this version? Here is the activity sheet: "We are committed to building strength and resiliency within families and within the Inuit community. We believe that families who are heathy and strong are able to raise healthy and strong children." - Stephanie Mikki Adams, Guiding Principles and Values of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) Presentation The theme of this year's Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership conference is "Mother Earth: Women are medicine - Land. Healing. Roles", and we are engaging with ONWA's Membership about this. "Indigenous women and girls have the responsibility to protect and support Mother Earth. We must reconcile our relations with the water, land, and with each other." Land Workshop: Commitments to Mother Earth Healing Workshop: Healing, Empowerment, Reclamation, and Safety (HERS) Roles Workshop: Governance and Board Training The ladies at the ONWA 52 AGA had their loonies were ready for the "Indian Auction" (an annual fundraiser started by the late Dorothy Wynne)! Stan Wesley donned his finest (jump)suit , fun was had by all! Saturday September 9, 2023 - Awards Gala Each year, the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) recognizes women whose work and contributions to the Indigenous community have made an impact upon the quality of life of Indigenous women and their families. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and are based on the listed criteria. Awards were presented during the Gala Dinner at ONWA's 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference. Congratulations to all the winners! Click to see the winners of ONWA's 2023 Recognition Awards. Click to learn more about the awards. Sunday September 10, 2023 - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Pow Wow

Each year, the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) recognizes women whose work and contributions to the Indigenous community have made an impact upon the quality of life of Indigenous women and their families. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and are based on the listed criteria. Awards were presented during the Gala Dinner at ONWA's 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference. Scroll down or click to see the winners of... Alice Souliere Bursary Award Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell Award Dorothy Wynne Achievement Award Indigenous Woman of the Year Award Special Award: Protecting Mother Earth Award Click to learn more about the awards . Winner of the Alice Souliere Bursary Award The recipient should have demonstrated either the personal pursuit of language development or have assisted in community projects that promote language development. Karennotakies Barnes Karennotakies is a language advocate currently part of the Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa Mohawk language program learning the Mohawk language and working on becoming a land-based teacher. She can often be seen sharing the Mohawk language on her social media. She was apart of the Language market in Six Nations, where she was a vendor and spoke the Mohawk language. She also helps various program with creating language resources and helps promote the use of mohawk language in everyday life. Karennotakies helps bridge the gap between the classroom and home. She shows the importance of using what you know no matter how little it may be. Small changes can create a big impact on our families in language revitalization. She says “when our babies are born, we tie a leather bracelet to their left wrist to symbolize on them ties to the physical world. We must continue keeping them tied to who we are as Onkwehonwe people by keep them tied with land-based learning and language.” Winner of the Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell Award Each year the Ontario Native Women's Association is pleased to present this prestigious award in recognition of one of our founding members to an Indigenous woman who best displays the qualities and depth of commitment towards the Indigenous Women's Movement. Roseanna Hudson Roseanna has worked with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for thirty-five years and is deeply committed to the promotion of and access to justice. She has made a measurable impact over these years as program developer, community leader, and as an outspoken passionate advocate for justice issues. Roseanna has worked tirelessly to make many contributions dedicated to justice and for the benefit of Indigenous persons. The Indigenous Community Council Program was one of the first alternative justice programs in Thunder Bay to provide services to youth and adults charged with a criminal and provincial offences. In recognition of Roseanna’s exemplary performance as a leader and innovator in building and advancing justice for Indigenous peoples, she was promoted to the Justice Services Program Manager. In 2014, Roseanna received the Ministry of Attorney General’s Victim Services Award for her exceptional achievements on behalf of victims and victim services in Ontario. Roseanna has been a trailblazer in our community and has opened the doors for other agencies and activists to advocate for the unique needs of Indigenous justice. Today, we see those same persons working in our organizations with their families, contributing back to our community. Winner of the Dorothy Wynne Achievement Award This award is presented to a local member of the Association nominated by her peers for her endeavors and contributions to her community, having an impact upon the quality of life of Indigenous Women and their families. Audrey Fisher Audrey was born and raised Long Lake #58 FN, lives in Geraldton, she is currently employed with Lakehead University for seven years as a contract lecturer teaches Anishnabemowin which she brings to our organization Ojibwewan Centre. Audrey Fisher dedicates and contributes her time for the betterment an empowerment of women, children, and families, she organized her time for the establishment of the Ojibwewan Centre , actively member Anishnabe Kateri Association located in Geraldton. She has supported our organization with confidence and growth, active member of Ontario Native Women's Organization since 2016 As a respectful grassroot Anishnaabe role model she provides support and efforts for positive activities and events within our community; provide Ojibwe Language for members, provides healthy circles for Families and Women Circles, Land base and Cultural teachings, organize event committees’ groups, hand drum making, youth/elders/adult Drop-in's, organize yearly committee Indigenous Day activities. Audrey has a positive influence for many young and old, she empowers younger Indigenous women and positively encourages community members especially our youth. Winner of the Indigenous Woman of the Year Award This award is presented annually to an Indigenous Woman who has served her people compassionately in all areas of community service, and, demonstrated skill and dedication to the Provincial movement of the Ontario Native Women's Association. Francine Shimizu Francine Shimizu has been fighting for health equity for indigenous people. Francine has been tirelessly fighting for Justice for her daughter who passed away waiting in an emergency room. Since that time, Francine has led the Niagara community to push to healthcare equity accords Canada as she advocates for Heathers Law, which would make denying healthcare to indigenous people illegal in Canada. Francine has spoken out in the media - making statements that have been heard worldwide, and contributed to the Red Dress exhibit where Heather’s dress speaks for justice for MMIW and for indigenous health equity. Francine has turned all our faces to look at the healthcare system needing change to preserve the dignity of our most vulnerable and Indigenous people as whole. Winner of the Protecting Mother Earth Award Special this year, the Protecting Our Mother Earth Award was established to honour and celebrate the contributions and impacts this woman made to the protection of Mother Earth. ONWA is pleased to present this prestigious award in recognition of exemplary leadership to an Indigenous woman who best displays the qualities and depth of commitment towards honoring, nurturing, and protecting Mother Earth. Chevaun Toulouse Chevaun Toulouse is a mother and a full-time biology and Indigenous environmental science student at Trent University. From an early age, Toulouse has been out on the land observing all creatures and is keen on staying in her community upon graduation. She is a mother of a young child, and a full-time biology and Indigenous environmental science student who plans on bringing her learned knowledge back into her community and all of Ontario to conserve, protect and educate others on land and water stewardship. In 2014, she was a part of the Traditional journey; a multi First Nation initiative coordinated with the Algoma Paddlers to return First Nation youth to canoeing on traditional travel routes on Lake Huron. In 2018, she assisted with the implementation of the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation programme (TIC) with Adopt-A-Pond’s Blanding’s turtle Head starting and Reintroduction project in the Rouge Urban National Park. When she was not working for the Toronto Zoo, she was doing outreach for Indspire; a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the benefit of these individuals, communities, and Canada. Chevaun worked for The Magnetawan First Nation Lands, Resources and Environment Department as the Lead Species at Risk Field Technician and Cultural Coordinator and recently held the position of researcher for an incredible TV series just released called Great Lakes Untamed. Bringing an Indigenous scientific perspective to this project was important to her while also highlighting the current environmental struggles our Great Lakes face. Her Nokomis was a farmer, residential school survivor, and business owner. Her Mishomis was a hunter, trapper, business owner, and chief of Sagamok Anishnawbek. The legacy of residential schools shaped her home and family, The colonial interference in her family and environment, and the intergenerational trauma passed down, means she’s had to seek out and rebuild cultural connections with people and the land. She wants to conserve and protect the land for her little ginoozhe (pike).

“Mother Earth: Women Are Medicine – Land. Healing. Roles.” Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association’s (ONWA) 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) is taking place September 8th and 9th at the Best Western Plus Nor’wester Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay. Following the AGA, on Sunday September 10th, community will come together at ONWA’s Ray Blvd Thunder Bay location for ONWA’s 6th Annual Pow Wow to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The theme for this year’s AGA is Mother Earth: Women Are Medicine - Land. Healing. Roles. The AGA provides an opportunity to highlight and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year as well as to engage in discussions on current priorities such as restoring our relationship with Mother Earth. We know that Indigenous women’s voices must be centered in all conversations about Mother Earth, climate change, environmental justice and their connection to gender-based violence. Indigenous women and girls' knowledge and expertise is vast; they are uniquely positioned to speak on the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on their communities, and on strategies for resistance and remediation. The climate crisis is especially impacting the health, safety, security and ways of life of Indigenous communities, while also deepening existing conditions of inequality for Indigenous women, their families, and communities. On Sunday September 10th ONWA welcomes people from all backgrounds to stand together and attend the Pow Wow to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This will be held at 380 Ray Blvd in Thunder Bay. The Sunrise Ceremony will begin at 7:30 am with opening prayer starting at 10:00 am. Feel free to bring your hand drums. There will be food and craft vendors on-site, and a free shuttle starting at 9:45am, from the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium located at 1 Paul Shaffer Dr to help people travel to the Pow Wow. MMIWG Pow Wow Agenda: 10:00 am: Opening Prayer – Pearl Gobana and Linda Barkman Hand-drum song “Passwewe Ikewug” Opening Words and Welcome: Ingrid Green, Director of Research ONWA Debra Vermette, President ONWA Chief Michele Solomon, Fort William First Nation The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Chief Mel Hardy, Rocky Bay First Nation The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services of Canada 11:00 am: Grand Entry 12:00 pm: Feast 1:00 pm: Host Drum Grassy Narrows Drum Group Teaching and Honour Song Flag Song Veteran’s Song – Chief Mel Hardy Rocky Bay First Nation Passwewe Ikewug (Echo Women) ONWA’s Women’s Drum Group Honour and Dance Songs, Jingle Dress, Healing Song, MMIWG Dance Janine Desmoulin – speaking to the Grandmother Earth Dress Moment of Silence and tobacco offering to Sacred Fire Ash Mauro – Buffalo Hide Ceremony Teachings 2:00 pm: Giveaway 3:00 pm: Closing Prayer For more information and media inquiries contact: Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

Winnipeg MB - The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is proud to announce that the She is Wise magazine received two awards this weekend at the 40th annual Native American Journalists Association’s (NAJA) National Native Media Conference in Winnipeg. She Is Wise magazine’s first award is for Environmental Coverage, commending Nikita Weiss Day for her article Land-Based Healing from She Is Wise’s sixth issue (Spring/Summer 2022). ONWA’s second award is for General Excellence in print/online, honouring the continued work of Andre Morriseau (Managing Editor, ONWA), Ingrid Green (Contributing Editor, ONWA), and Roma Ihnatowycz (Editor, MediaEdge). “When the idea for the She is Wise magazine was first introduced, one of ONWA’s beloved grandmothers who has since passed on to the spirit world, Dorothy Wynne, wasn’t sure how this magazine was going to work, and was amazed by how it came together,” says Ingrid Green, Contributing Editor of She is Wise and ONWA’s Director of Research and Evaluation. “We continue to be proud and humbled by the stories we share. To be recognized outside of ONWA’s membership for this work, particularly by NAJA, is an honour and a privilege.” ONWA remains grateful to the individuals who share their stories with the She Is Wise magazine and to the team of people that work diligently to develop and publish each issue.

Thunder Bay, ON – In support of the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is calling on all levels of government as well as law enforcement and service agencies to increase their efforts to strengthen prevention and support Indigenous survivors of human trafficking/sexual exploitation. ONWA knows that every Indigenous woman, girl, and two-spirit person has inherent gifts and is deserving of respect, dignity, and safety. ONWA is committed to walking with Indigenous women with living/lived experience as they navigate their healing journeys. Ontario remains a hub for human trafficking in Canada, and Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately impacted and targeted. It is happening in cities, communities, and neighbourhoods across the province. The impacts of colonialization, racism, and sexism – such as income insecurity, housing instability, lack of social and cultural supports, and lack of equitable access to health care – have created the conditions that make Indigenous women and girls be especially targeted by traffickers. Systemic racism and discrimination often leave Indigenous women survivors feeling unsafe seeking services and support from non-Indigenous institutions. ONWA continues to call on Ontario and Canada to increase sustainable investments in Indigenous women’s organizations so they can provide safe spaces for survivors as well as culture-based wrap-around supports that are central to healing. ONWA acknowledges the bravery, wisdom, and leadership of all survivors as they are the experts, and their advice informs all aspects of our anti-human trafficking/sexual exploitation work to keep Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit people and their families safe. ONWA is a leader in culturally grounded supports, and our Courage for Change Program is the largest Indigenous-led program for Indigenous survivors of human trafficking/sexual exploitation in Canada. We continue to hear from survivors that culturally grounded supports, such as ours, are critically important to their successes in being able to exit exploitative situations, rebuild their lives, and heal and be well. The first step to improving responses to human trafficking/sexual exploitation is to learn more about the conditions that cause it, the signs to look out for, and how to better understand and support survivors. How you can learn more and get involved: Join us at ONWA’s live virtual event from 12:00-1:00 PM EST on Monday July 31, 2023, to learn about human trafficking and what it looks like in communities. Register at https://bit.ly/479wT48 or watch the livestream at ONWA’s Facebook page. Read ONWA’s Journey to Safe Spaces Report, which documents the findings and recommendations from the largest ever engagement with Indigenous survivors and community conducted on human trafficking/sexual exploitation, with 3,300 community members including 250 self-identified survivors of human trafficking engaged. Visit ONWA’s Human Trafficking Learning & Resource page: https://www.onwa.ca/learning-resources-ht Reach out to ONWA’s Indigenous Anti-Human Trafficking Liaisons to learn how to initiate community conversations about human trafficking: 1-800-667-0816 or https://www.onwa.ca/contact-us Join the UN Blue Heart Campaign: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/blueheart/ Share, like and comment on the social media messages for the World Day #EndHumanTrafficking Other resources: Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010 ONWA Intake for Human Trafficking: 1-800-667-0816 Talk4Healing: 1-855-554-4325 ​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 – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) has graduated to designate status as an Indigenous-focused Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). ONWA has been working towards this designation for three years in partnership with the Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO). ONWA is part of the first Indigenous cohort advising on Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) which will support ONWA, and other Indigenous-focused BPSOs, in promoting the health, wellbeing, and safety of Indigenous women across the province. As part of this project, ONWA initiated the implementation of two BPG: Woman Abuse: Screening, Identification and Initial Response, and Promoting Smoking Reduction and Cessation with Indigenous Peoples of Reproductive Age and Their Communities. ONWA is now working on implementing a third BPG: Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes. This work builds upon ONWA’s existing commitment to end violence against Indigenous women and support healthy families and communities. ONWA’s work with the RNAO BPSO brings an Indigenous perspective to BPG. ONWA understands community members are the experts in their wellbeing and uses this lens when reporting on BPG. This partnership has continued to grow the relationship between ONWA and the mainstream healthcare system, while enabling ONWA to standardize practices based on our more than 50-years of experience in gender-based, trauma-informed, and culturally rooted programs and services. If you would like more information about these BPG, please visit: ONWA BPSO page at https://www.onwa.ca/bpso RNAO BPSO page at https://rnao.ca/bpg/bpso For more information and media inquiries, contact: Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca -30-

Calling all Indigenous crafters & artisans! Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) 52nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Leadership Conference https://forms.office.com/r/JgnQKQsQFW Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Annual Pow Wow https://forms.office.com/r/Ew2nGzzRkq