Media release: New Aboriginal Women's Leadership Circle to advise global women's congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, 21 June 2010 - To provide leadership on the engagement and involvement of Aboriginal and Indigenous women for a major international women's congress, an Aboriginal Women's Leadership Circle has been established.

The 11th instance of "Women's Worlds", an international and interdisciplinary feminist congress, will take place in Ottawa-Gatineau from 3-7 July 2011.

The Circle launches on National Aboriginal Day because as Canada hosts such a prominent global event, the meaningful participation of Aboriginal women and the prominence of Indigenous women's issues will be essential.

Event organizers want participants to come away with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Indigenous women, the struggle for their rights, and inspired by their immense knowledge and leadership for a better world.

"We recognize the distinctive realities between First Nations, Métis, Inuit, as well as other Indigenous women throughout the world," says Circle founder Claudette Dumont-Smith, "Our collaboration with WW 2011 will ensure that Indigenous women's unique and disproportionate experience with globalization is highlighted at the Congress."

The Aboriginal Women's Leadership Circle is a volunteer advisory body comprised of five Aboriginal [First Nations, Inuit, Métis] women:

Founding member Claudette Dumont-Smith, from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation territory, is a former Commissioner with the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Mary Sillett is former president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Pauktuutit, as well as Commissioner on the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples.

Tina Keeper of Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba is an actor, producer, researcher, communicator, and former Member of Parliament.

Jessica Yee, a Two Spirit Indigenous feminist activist from the Mohawk nation, is the founder and Executive Director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network.

Erin Konsmo is a young Métis activist from Red Deer who is currently a community-based researcher for Aboriginal HIV/AIDS.

Alanis Obomsawin of the Abenaki Nation has created over 30 uncompromising documentaries with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) that chronicle the lives and concerns of First Nations people.

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For more information or interviews:

Pam Kapoor
WW 2011 Communications
media@womensworlds.ca
613.853.8089