Northwestern Ontario will have some representation on the new provincial Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council.
Teresa Sutherland of Fort Albany First Nation is one of 11 members named to the Council.
Sutherland is also a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women’s Council.
Members will help address issues of violence affecting their communities and provide input on issues such as human trafficking and child, youth and family well-being.
The first meeting is scheduled for early July and Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues is the lead.
Dunlop says “For culturally relevant and effective changes to occur in Ontario, Indigenous women must lead the development of our policies so we can truly support their communities. The Council will be key to ensuring Indigenous women’s voices guide Ontario’s priorities on a range of critical issues.”
The Council will be co-chaired by Cora-lee McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director of the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
Other members of the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council include:
Sylvia Maracle, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Sandra Montour, Six Nations of the Grand River
Lyndia Jones, Independent First Nations
Jennifer St. Germain, Métis Nation of Ontario
Teresa Sutherland, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Amanda Kilabuk, Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Marina Plain, Union of Ontario Indians/Anishinabek Nation
Tracy Antone, Chiefs of Ontario
