NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO NATIVE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (ONWA)
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THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) 51st Annual General Assembly is taking place Sept. 16 and 17, 2022, at the Best Western Plus Nor’wester Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay. Following the AGA, on Sunday, Sept. 18, community will come together for the first time in two years for the 5th Annual Pow Wow to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
ONWA gathers to highlight the accomplishments of the past year at this year’s AGA, whose theme “Indigenous Women’s Leadership for Generations to Come” reflects the core of ONWA’s work. The AGA will also serve as a launching point for ONWA’s new Strategic Picture, outlining the organization’s forward thinking road map for building Indigenous women’s leadership over the next decade.
On Sunday September 18th, we welcome the community to come together at the Best Western Plus Nor’wester Hotel & Conference Centre for ONWA’s 5th annual Pow Wow in Honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Pow Wow begins with a Sunrise Ceremony at 7:30 am and holds Opening Prayer at 10:00 am. There will be food and craft vendors on-site. ONWA invites everyone to join and bring their hand drums.
The Pow Wow will feature:
- Host drum Grassy Narrows Women’s Drum Group
- Passwewe Ikewug (Echo Women) Drum Group
- Chief Mel Hardy, Rocky Bay first Nation
- Hon. Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
- Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development agency for Northern Ontario
- Jaime Black, multidisciplinary artist and founder of The REDress Project, an aesthetic response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada.
“As we come together over the next three days, we honour Indigenous women’s leadership for generations to come. The passion and commitment of Indigenous women is the catalyst for ONWA’s work toward building a safe, prosperous, and healthy future for Indigenous communities across the province of Ontario.” – Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director, ONWA.
Opening, 10 am:
- Hand-drum song “Passwewe Ikewug”
- Opening Words and Welcome:
- Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director, ONWA
- Chief Mel Hardy, Rocky Bay First Nation
- Hon. Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
- Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development agency for Northern Ontario
- Jaime Black, multidisciplinary artist and founder of The REDress Project
Grand Entry, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.:
- Host Drum - Grassy Narrows Drum Group Teaching and Honor Song
- Flag Song
- Veterans Song - Gerry Martin and Mel Hardy
- Passwewe Ikewug” – ONWA’s Women’s Drum Group
- Honor Dance and Songs, Jingle dress, Healing Song. MMIW Dance
- Moment of Silence and tobacco offering to sacred fire
For more information: Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Email: [email protected]
