Indigenous Women

Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering (‘the Gathering’)

Taking place annually since 2006, the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering (‘the Gathering’) brings together Indigenous women from all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador to connect, share experiences, and plan the necessary steps to aid in the improvement of the quality of life of Indigenous women in their communities.

Unique in Canada, these Gatherings have been designed to ensure the full participation of all Indigenous groups in the province and respect the diversity and richness of Indigenous women in Newfoundland and Labrador. Representatives from all Indigenous groups in the province participate. The Gatherings are planned by the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee and the committee nominates the delegates who attend.

At the 16th annual Gathering on December 6-7, 2021, participants drafted ‘Hear Our Voices: MMIWG Policy Recommendations of the First Women of Newfoundland and Labrador’ and presented it to the Provincial Government in July 2022. The report contains 196 recommendations to address and prevent systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals in the province.

Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council

A Reconciliation Council was proposed in ‘Hear Our Voices: MMIWG Policy Recommendations of the First Women of Newfoundland and Labrador’. The formation of the Reconciliation Council was announced in November 2022. Subsequent meetings were held in June and September 2023 and February 2024.

The Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council is a mechanism through which to establish a collaborative ongoing working relationship between Indigenous women and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The overall goal of the Reconciliation Council is to coordinate and lead meaningful action on implementation of the 196 recommendations in the areas of Indigenous culture, health and wellness, justice, and human security, leading to lasting changes in legislation, regulations, government directives, policies, and procedures.

The Reconciliation Council is composed of 11 members, including five Provincial Government representatives and six Indigenous women representatives. There are three Co-Chairs: one appointed to represent government, and two Elders appointed by the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee.

Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council members

Name Role Affiliation
Charlotte Wolfrey Elder Co-Chair AnanauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association
Odelle Pike Elder Co-Chair Provincial Indigenous Steering Committee
Candice Ennis-Williams Co-Chair Office of Women and Gender Equality
Kim Campbell-McLean Member AnanauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association
Kristy Dyson Member NunatuKavut Community Council
Mary Ann Nui Member Innu Nation
Stacey Howse Member First Light
Gillian Sweeney Member Department of Health and Community Services
Tracy English Member Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Jennifer Barnes Member Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Lorelei Roberts Member Department of Justice and Public Safety

 

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Contacts

Benoit’s Cove Native Women’s Association
P.O. Box 54, Site 13
Benoit’s Cove, NL A0L 1A0
Tel: (709) 789-3132

Exploits Native Women’s Association
5 Church Rd. Suite 1
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1Y9
Tel: (709) 489-8425
Fax: (709) 489-8417

First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre
716 Water Street
St. John’s, NL A1E 1C1
Tel: (709) 726-5902
Fax: (709) 722-0874
Website: firstlightnl.ca

Glenwood Mi’kmaq First Nation
24 Spruce Avenue
Glenwood, NL A0G 2K0
Health Tel: (709) 679-5743/1 (855) 675-5743
Education and Training Tel: (709) 679-2338
Indian Registration Tel: (709) 679-2142/1 (855) 263-6440
Fax: (709) 679-2344

Innu Nation
P.O. Box 119
Shetshatshiu, NL A0P 1M0
Tel: (709) 497-8398
Fax: (709) 497-8397
Website: www.innu.ca

Inuit Women of Canada
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 520
Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7
Tel: (613) 238-3977
Toll free: 1-800-667-0749
Fax: (613) 238-1787
Website: www.pauktuutit.ca

Labrador Friendship Centre
49 Grenfell Street
P.O. Box 767, Stn B
Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL A0P 1E0
Tel: (709) 896-8302
Fax: (709) 896-8731
Website: www.lfchvgb.ca

Labrador Native Women’s Association
Box 542, Stn. B
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P 1S0
Tel: (709) 896-5071
Fax: (709) 896-5071

Miawpukek First Nation
50 Miawpukek Drive
P.O. Box 10
Conne River, NL A0H 1J0
Tel: (709) 882-2470
Fax: (709) 882-2292
Website: www.mfngov.ca

Mushuau Innu First Nation
P.O. Box 190
Natuashish, NL A0P 1A0
Tel: (709) 478-8755
Fax: (709) 478-8841

Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
90 Main Street
Stephenville, NL A2N 1H9
Tel: (709) 643-4563
Fax: (709) 643-1290
Website: www.nawn-nf.com

Newfoundland Native Women’s Association
P.O. Box 22
Benoit’s Cove, NL A0L 1A0
Tel: (709) 789-3430
Fax: (709) 789-2207
Website: www.nnwa.ca 

Nunatsiavut Government: Department of Health and Social Development
200 Kelland Dr.
P.O. Box 496, Stn. C
Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL A0P 1C0
Tel: (709) 896-9760
Fax: (709) 896-9751
Website: www.nunatsiavut.com

Nunatsiavut Government
Vyann Anderson-Goudie, Status of Women Coordinator, Health
P.O. Box 78
Postville, NL A0P 1N0
Tel: (709) 479-9878
Fax: (709) 479-9745
Website: www.nunatsiavut.com

NunatuKavut
P.O. Box 460, Stn. C
Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL A0P 1C0
Tel: (709) 896-0592
Fax: (709) 896-0594
Website: www.nunatukavut.ca

Qalipu First Nation Band
3 Church Street
Corner Brook, NL A2H 2Z4
Tel: (709) 634-0996
Fax: (709) 639-3997
Website: www.qalipu.ca

Shetshatshiu Innu First Nation
P.0. Box 160
Sheshatshui, NL A0P 1M0
Tel: (709) 497-8522
Website: www.sifn.ca

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