WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE SISTERS IN SPIRIT INITIATIVE!

Head Office:

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) launched the national Sisters in Spirit Campaign in March 2004 to raise public awareness of the alarmingly high rates of violence against Aboriginal women in Canada. NWAC believes we are in an urgent state of affairs with regards to the safety of Aboriginal women in Canada.
NWAC believes that we must act urgently to protect the safety of Aboriginal women in Canada. On pense que plus de 500 femmes autochtones sont disparues et (ou) ont été assassinées dans notre pays, mais les chiffres pourraient aller jusqu'à 1000 femmes. It is believed that more than 500 Aboriginal women are missing and (or) were murdered in our country, but the numbers could go up to 1000 women.
To this end, the campaign asked the SPE Canadian government $ 10 million over two years for the following reasons:

1. establish a national toll-free line to report missing Aboriginal women;
2. awareness and educate the public to better understand the case to the public and to publicize the impact, causes and consequences of violence against Aboriginal women;
3. undertake a policy analysis of the relevant legal framework at national and international affects or does not the violence perpetrated against Aboriginal women in Canada;
4. provide comprehensive recommendations that could change from research to policy analysis.

After more than a year of negotiations NWAC is pleased to announce that between 2005 and 2011, the federal government will provide $ 5 million to fund the campaign of SPE.

With the arrival of additional funding during the summer, this site will grow and it will grow. Revenez souvent consulter ce site et continuez de faire connaître l'AFAC et sa campagne des SPE. Check back often visit this site and continue to share NWAC and its campaign of SPE.

You are invited to attend a Blanket Feasting Ceremony for the Travelling Song Blanket

An evening of celebration and song in Partnership with Native Women’s Association of Canada
Wednesday, December 9, 2011
424 Catherine Street
Ottawa, Ontario
(Corner of Percy & Catherine Street)
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Minwaashin Lodge has partnered with Native Women’s Association in the making of a quilt. The quilt is finished and in our traditional way we are ready to feast it and send it on a sacred journey.

The quilting women have been given teachings and accepted the responsibilities for cooking the sacred food and preparing for the feast.

This Ceremony will bring women and men together to celebrate and honour the participants and supporters of this project. As well, this ceremony will give us the opportunity to share the traditional songs. Minwaashin Lodge Womens Drum Group will provide drumming & singing. Women are asked to wear skirts & bring their drums.

“The Travelling Song Blanket” came out of a need for women to find a way of expressing activism in support of the missing & murdered Aboriginal women. This blanket is symbolic and is a way to empower women to have a voice.

This quilt was made during the Winter of 2007 by 14 women. First Nation, Inuit, Metis and Non-Aboriginal women created this quilt. They wanted to create something of beauty and strength to remind everyone that the struggle and activism is strong. It is a form of activism to create awareness and support for the Sisters In Spirit Campaign.

We thank Native Womens Association of Canada, Aboriginal Action Circle and all the women who gave of their spirits, sewing skills and voices.

For more information about the Ceremony, please contact, Irene Compton at Minwaashin Lodge, 613-741-5590 ext 224.

Six Nations of the Grand River
P.O. Box 331
Ohsweken, Ontario N0A 1M0
Telephone: 905.765.9737
Facsimile: 905.765.0173

Copyright © 2011 Sister's In Spirit. All Rights Reserved.