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NAN Press Release ...

Ontario Trillium Foundation funds NAN Women's Development Project

    THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 9 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald together with Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation Chief Connie Gray-McKay, NAN Women's Council member and spokesperson Jackie Fletcher, and Members of Provincial Parliament Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) and Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) this morning announced an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) contribution to the NAN Women's Development Project.

    A grant of $536,500 over three years will be utilized to develop the capacity of women as leaders to achieve healthier communities within NAN territory - an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario.

    "This is a monumental announcement that will prove to enhance the many accomplishments and strides of the NAN Women's Council in the past year," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald who represents 49 First Nation communities across James Bay Treaty 9 territory and the Ontario portion of Treaty 5. "Women have always been agents of positive change and healing in their communities and by empowering and engaging women to contribute their ideas and perspectives, we're strengthening our communities."

    The NAN Women's Development Project takes a groundbreaking and strategic approach to building healthy, vibrant communities, including the development of women's circles in each of NAN's 49 communities (16/year) and a video documentary capturing the progress and impact of the project.

    "The project will develop and empower women as agents of positive social change," said NAN Women's Council member and spokesperson Jackie Fletcher. "The four main components of our approach include integrated participatory research, leadership development training, capacity building workshops, and the establishment of NAN women's circles."

    Fletcher, together with NAN Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald, accepted a plaque from OTF Board member Donna Gilhooly and MPPs Mauro and Gravelle.

    "I am pleased that the province of Ontario is supporting such a worthwhile program," said Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament (Thunder Bay-Atikokan). "Providing infrastructure to support women's leadership development not only benefits the women involved but also their families and their communities."

    "I am very pleased that we are providing significant investment in the Women's Development Project which will benefit all the NAN communities across Ontario," said Member of Provincial Parliament Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North). "Truly, community-based initiatives such as this one can have a remarkable impact, and I am looking forward to the program's success over the next few years."

    "Women are the foundation - the ones that educate our children," said Connie Gray-McKay - Chief of one of NAN's 49 First Nation communities. "This project will enhance the transfer of knowledge from women to children during the foundational years that's so very important to family and community development - it will help build a healthy foundation."

    Nishnawbe Aski Nation is an Aboriginal political organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario's portion of Treaty 5. The NAN Women's Council, established in 2004, ensures the on-going involvement of women in the decision making process of NAN.

    The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For 25 years, it has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.

For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952, (807) 628-3953 (mobile)