1. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Native Women’s Association of Canada Sisters Inside 4 th International Conference June 29 th, 2007 Darwin Australia

2. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit 1. Colonization 2. Matrimonial Real Property 3. Violence Against Aboriginal Women 4. Sisters in Spirit 5. Repeal of Section 67 6. Gender Based Analysis Presentation Summary

3. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit “Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” World Health Organization What do we know about Violence?

4. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit COLONIZATION

5. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Impacts of Colonization  From an Aboriginal Perspective, colonization in Canada created a cultural, social and economical and political dislocation  Aboriginal worldview is that women had a significant and equal role to their male counterparts, were respected and valued.  Eurocentric attitudes that are built on a set of assumptions and beliefs that lie in patriarchal norms have a negative impact on Aboriginal women and their role.

6. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Matrimonial Real Property

7. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Matrimonial Real Property  Indian Act does not contain provisions on governing on reserve matrimonial real property, a couple’s home or land they live on or benefit from.  Negative consequences for women who are forced to leave their homes and communities after separation.

8. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Violence Against Aboriginal Women

9. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Violence Against Aboriginal Women  Socio-economic barriers that Aboriginal women face have changed very little and make them susceptible to violence.  Lack of recognition of Aboriginal women's human rights  Systemic violence  Government policies have caused Aboriginal women to move away from their communities and face extreme marginalization

10. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal women & girls are missing across Canada  British Columbia »Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside »Highway 16 - Highway of Tears  Edmonton, Alberta  Regina & Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  Winnipeg, Manitoba  Thunder Bay, Ontario Little to no connection has made between the gender and Aboriginal identity of these women by authorities.

11. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Sisters in Spirit

12. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Sisters in Spirit  In October 2994, Amnesty International released its report Stolen Sisters A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and Violence against Indigenous Women in Canada.  In 2005, NWAC signed a five year Sisters in Spirit Agreement with the Federal Government  Initiative includes research, policy, education and awareness activities.

13. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Repeal of Section 67

14. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Repeal of Section 67  Section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act states: »“Nothing in this Act affects any provision of the Indian Act or any provision made under or pursuant to that Act.” »Result has been First Nations and individuals living in First Nations communities have no protection under the CHRA or an equivalent law from discrimination under the Indian Act »With no access to basic human rights and lack of effective human rights Aboriginal women become vulnerable to poverty, homelessness and violence.

15. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Culturally Relevant Gender Based Analysis

16. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Gender Based Analysis

17. Native Women’s Association of Canada NWAC - Sisters in Spirit Thank You NWAC is honoured to have had the opportunity to share this information with you. As we progress with our work we hope to contribute more effectively to changing societal indifference toward missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.