News release

National Aboriginal Women's Summit Being Held at Membertou First Nation

Aboriginal Affairs (to Feb. 2021)

Nova Scotia and the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), are hosting the National Aboriginal Women's Summit at Membertou First Nation, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, today, Oct. 20 to Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The summit brings together more than 175 delegates from across Canada to discuss issues related to the summit theme, Promoting Equity, Empowerment and Leadership of Aboriginal Women.

Delegates will participate in panel discussions, hear several keynote speakers and participate in a circle of hope ceremony to honour missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

"The summit is a forum for community representatives and governments to share knowledge and expertise as they look for ways to work together to build better futures for Aboriginal women and girls and their communities," said Premier Stephen McNeil.

"NWAC is very pleased that this summit will be solutions-based," said NWAC president Michèle Audette. "This gathering will provide participants and stakeholders an opportunity to review past summit recommendations to monitor progress and to share best practices for better outcomes for all Aboriginal women." The following organizations also helped plan and organize the summit:

  • Nova Scotia Native Women's Association
  • Assembly of First Nations
  • Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
  • Métis National Council (represented by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak)
  • Women of the Métis Nation
  • Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami(represented by Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada)

This is the fourth National Aboriginal Women's Summit held to date. The first one was held in Corner Brook, NL, in June 2007.