Establishment of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)

Establishment of the “Indian Rights for Indian Women” association, the national arm of “Equal Rights for Native Women.”

Establishment of the Ontario Native Women’s Association

Establishment of Québec Native Women’s Association (QNW).

As part of International Women’s Year, Mary Two-Axe Earley traveled to Mexico to present a brief on the discrimination faced by Indigenous women.

Research undertaken by QNW with 369 women and 66 men mostly living on reserves in Québec demonstrates a 90% dissatisfaction rate with the Indian Act and its discriminatory clauses. The findings are published in a document entitled “Wake-Up Native Women!” The document, in which QNW recommends that an Indigenous woman retain her status even if she marries a non-Indigenous person, is sent to the Committee to amend the Indian Act, and to numerous other Indigenous and women’s organizations throughout the country.

QNW opens the first position for a coordinator, which will allow them to maintain direct links between the executive and local groups.

QNW presents a brief to a parliamentary commission on the issue of Indigenous children being adopted into non-Indigenous families.

A group of women from the Tobique reserve in New Brunswick sets out on a 110-mile march from Oka (Kanesatake) to Ottawa to mark the 110 years of injustice experienced by Indigenous women since the passing of the Indian Act.

QNW obtains its first operating funds from the federal government (Secretary of State) and the provincial government (SAGMAI).

A QNW brief on “Health Services: A Crucial Problem Among the Aboriginal Population of Québec” is sent to various Québec and Canadian ministries, institutions and organizations.

QNW produces a brief outlining the necessity of transmitting Indigenous culture and the need to hire Indigenous teachers in schools attended by Indigenous students.

QNW files a document on the discrimination faced by Indigenous women to the sub-committee of Indian Affairs. This document is discussed in the House of Commons.

Adoption of the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms which guarantees equality between men and women. It was not until 1985 that it was applied to the Indian Act.

The Québec government meets with First Nations and Inuit representatives in the province, including the Québec Native Women’s Association, in order to initiate discussions on Indigenous rights and the Constitution.

Brief presented to the Common Front for Aboriginal Women and Economic Development.

Adoption of Bill C-31, which amends the Indian Act. From now on, Indigenous women retain their status under all circumstances.

Launch of the awareness campaign, “Violence is Tearing Us Apart ‚ Let’s Get Together.”

Creation of Defence Fund for women who are victims of discrimination.

Presentation of a brief on Indigenous daycare services to the public hearings of the Parliamentary commission on this issue.

Presentation by QNW at the National Aboriginal Inquiry on the Impact of Bill C-31.

Publication of a bilingual newsletter (French and English) “Together Against Violence. Anishnabé-Kwe,” which identifies ways of preventing family violence in Québec and Canada. Due to lack of adequate financial support, publication of the newsletter ceases after its third issue.

QNW makes public the Proposal for an Approach that Includes Intervention in the Area of Family Violence.

Creation of a working group on violence.

QNW participates in the “Measure 24” multidisciplinary group, established as part of the Department of Health and Social Services three-year plan on violence in the Indigenous milieu.

Brief dealing with the Canadian Constitution presented to the First Nations Circle. Québec Native Women’s Association supports self-government, but demands a guarantee regarding the protection of rights and freedoms for all Indigenous citizens.

Revision of the QNW Constitution and Rules.

Québec Native Women is recognized by the Assembly of First Nations’ provincial section. The Association can now participate in all discussions, but is not entitled to vote.

QNW past president, Michèle Rouleau receives the “Droits et Libertés” Prize for her contribution to promotion of Indigenous women’s rights.

Publication of a study entitled “An Assessment of Violence and Mental Health Among the Aboriginal Population of Québec.” A QNW brief to the Royal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, entitled “Taking Our Rightful Place,” recommends the following:

- Prioritize the issue of family violence

- Create daycare centres in Indigenous communities

- Examine the issue of multi-service centres for Indigenous women living in urban areas

- Modify Bill C-31 since it opens up new avenues of discrimination

- Ensure the participation of Indigenous women in the constitutional debate

- Ensure equal financial support for Indigenous women’s organizations

First meeting of the QNW ad hoc Committee on conjugal violence. The committee is made up of five Indigenous men.

QNW past president Michèle Rouleau becomes Chevalier de I'Ordre national du Québec.

Brief presented to the Permanent Committee for Human Resources Development on Social Security Reform.

Launching of a booklet on violence entitled “Beyond Violence.”

First conference on violence, entitled “This is the Dawn I,” is held in Montréal.

Publication of the booklet entitled “Our Families. A world to discover.” This booklet was produced for the “Table de concertation québécoise sur la famille,” through a partnership between QNW and “Institut national de la recherché scientifique” (INRS).

Passing of Mary Two-Axe Earley.

Québec Native Women organizes a three-day conference on economic development.

Second conference on violence entitled “Pimadiziwin, This is the Dawn II,” is held in Montréal.

Past president of QNW, Monique Sioui, posthumously receives the “Droits et Libertés” Prize.

25th anniversary of Québec Native Women.

Awareness tour as part of the “Kassewe: For a common vision of solidarity in the First Nations communities of Québec” project.

QNW participates in the World March of Women and calls for increased funding for Indigenous women’s shelters.

Setting up of a training session entitled “Drum Beats of the Youth” for young women and men, on democracy, civil rights and civic education.

Organization of a seminar on justice and public security entitled “Improving the welfare of our youth.”

QNW receives an Honourable Mention from the Québec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission for its outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights and freedoms in Québec.

QNW organizes the “Women for Peace” event, which brings together 25 Indigenous women at the ceremonies to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Great Peace of Montréal.

Holding of the Apitendemowin seminar on sexual abuse.

Third conference on violence entitled “Skennekὸ: wa This is the Dawn III.”

In the context of the Takuaikan project carried out in partnership with Éducaloi, QNW launches its first series of legal information capsules entitled “Legal Information for Aboriginal People.”

QNW launches a Canada-wide petition against the Indian Act.

QNW organizes the Kanikanitet leadership training session for young Indigenous women.

QNW participates in the first summit of Indigenous Women of the Americas, held in Oaxaca, Mexico.

QNW organizes the Innu Tipenitemun human rights training session for young Indigenous women and men.

In the context of the Takuaikan project, QNW launches its second series of legal information capsules.

Holding of the seminar “Minuinniu Innushkueu: For a common vision of the promotion of women’s health.”

Celebration of the 30th anniversary of Québec Native Women.

Participation in the discussions of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on the topic of Indigenous women.

QNW organizes the Québec Aboriginal Young Women’s Gathering, the first of its kind in Québec and Canada.

Québec Native Women and the Fédération des femmes du Québec sign a Solemn Declaration of Solidarity.

QNW publishes a discussion paper entitled Division of matrimonial real property on reserves.

Report entitled “Mémoire sur l’égalité : point de vue des femmes autochtones” presented to the Commission of Social Affairs as part of the review process of the council of Status of Women.

In collaboration with DIALOG—Québec Network on Aboriginal Issues, organization of the conference held in Montréal entitled Moving Towards Equality.

Participation in the World March of Women in Québec.

Participation in the working table leading to the Socio-Economic Forum for First Nations held at Mashteuiatsh between October 25 - 27.

QNW puts forward Indigenous women’s needs in relation to family and sexual violence and asks for more support from both federal and provincial governments.

QNW organizes the Fifth Summit of Indigenous Women of the Americas in Kahnawake with the Continental Network of Indigenous Women (ENLACE).

QNW participates at both national and provincial campaigns demanding that Canada endorse the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples.

For the first time, QNW organizes a demonstration in the streets of Montréal on September 13, 2007.

Ellen Gabriel is awarded a special recognition on March 8 by the Québec Bar Association for her remarkable contribution to women’s and family rights through a non-profit organization.

Launch of the Campaign “Together against family violence!” in Wendake in May: a purple sticker can now be seen in every window of every community throughout Québec.

Launch of the Ishketeu training on domestic violence.

QNW obtains the United Nations ECOSOC observer status for non-governmental organizations.

Québec Native Women celebrates its 35th anniversary.

Adoption of Bill C-3 following Sharon McIvor’s victory before the Court of Appeal of British Columbia, which entitles the grandchildren of women who regained their status in 1985 to claim their Indian status.
QNW supported Sharon McIvor’s fight from the beginning in 1989 and lobbied to have Bill C-3 be as fair as possible to Indigenous women and their descendants.

Launch of the Wasaiya project: a training of trainers on the rights of Indigenous peoples in both anglophone and francophone Québec Indigenous communities in partnership with the Université du Québec à Montréal.

QNW participates in the negotiations for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing in Montréal, Cali (Colombia) and Nagoya (Japan). This international instrument aims at protecting Indigenous traditional knowledge and biodiversity on their territories as part of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

First meeting of Inuit and First Nations Directors of Women’s Shelters in Kuujuaq.

Participation in the World March of Women in Rimouski. As one of their demands, the Québec Coalition demanded the ratification and implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Launch of the Campaign “My sexuality it’s about respect: break the silence!”

Co-organization of the International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy “Women at the Heart of the Social and Solidarity Economy.” More than 1,000 people from 40 countries were expected.

Québec Native Women proudly supports the Innu Ishkueu March to denounce the Plan Nord and to remind the government of the obligation to consult and take into consideration the decisions of the First Nations peoples.

QNW participates in the Idle No More movement and stands in solidarity with Chief Theresa Spence in their action remind us all of the history of colonization in Canada.

Ellen Gabriel refuses the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, but accepts the recognition of Québec Native Women for her commitment to Indigenous Women.

QNW launches a petition to reform the high school history curriculum to include the history of Indigenous peoples, including the residential schools episode and gathers more than 4,000 signatures.

QNW sends a report to James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues, denouncing the unstated paternity policy which continues to discriminate against Indigenous women. The Special Rapporteur concluded his visit by reminding the Government of Canada of the urgency of establishing a national commission of inquiry into the situation of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Launch of QNW’s awareness campaign for Indigenous men with violent behaviour.

QNW receives the YMCA Peace Medal.

QNW and the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives launch a tool to encourage the development of a midwifery practice.

QNW demands a national inquiry following the RCMP report on the 1,186 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Launch of the campaign against trafficking in Indigenous women “I am a proud Indigenous woman and I am not for sale.”

QNW celebrates its 40 years of fighting for the rights of Indigenous women.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) recognizes QNW as an Indigenous Representative Organization (IRO).

QNW launches its report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Québec “Nānīawig Māmawe Nīnawind—Stand With Us.”