Founded in 1974, Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) represents women from the Indigenous Peoples in Quebec and Indigenous women living in urban areas.
We sit at the table of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, on the Board of Directors of the Native Parajudicial Services of Quebec as well as several other Indigenous and non-Indigenous commissions and committees.
History of the steps to the establishment of and the political, legal and social struggle of
Québec Native Women (QNW)
Establishment of the “Equal Rights for Native Women” association, headed by Mary Two-Axe Earley, a Mohawk from Kahnawake.
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.”
We support Indigenous women in their efforts to better their living conditions through the promotion of non-violence, justice, health and equality. We also empower women in their commitment to their communities.
On the political scene, we continue to work for the recognition of equal rights for all Indigenous women in this country, both legislatively and constitutionally.
Our Actions
In unison with Indigenous Peoples, we support self-government and are working to assure that Indigenous women have full and total participation in this process.
On the social and economic scenes, we are involved in the promotion and development of new training initiatives for Indigenous women to help improve their lives and that of their families. These initiatives also allow them to participate more fully in their communities.
Québec Native Women (QNW) consists of a 17-member Council of Elected Officers: three Executive members, nine representatives from the Nations, one representative of Indigenous women living in an urban centre, one youth representative, one elder representative, one employee representative and the Executive Director. One representative from each nation and one representative from the urban centres are elected by their members at Nation Council meetings every second year and sit on the Elected Council.
Young women are represented by a QNW Youth Council which brings together one young woman from each Nation chosen at the Councils of Nations. One youth representative elected by the Youth Council sits on the Elected Council. The Elder women also have one representative for each Nation and one of them is chosen to sit on the Elected Council. Furthermore, since May 2015, one employee representative also sits on the Elected Council but has no voting rights, the same as the Executive Director.
Finally, the Executive Committee of the Elected Council is composed of three positions elected at the Annual Gathering of Members every two years: The President, the Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. The President acts as the spokesperson for the Association.
Council of Elected Representatives:
Executive council
President: Marjolaine Étienne
Vice-President: Gabrielle Vachon-Laurent
Secretary-Treasurer: Sonia Chachai
Representative of the Nations
Abenaki Nation: Florence Benedict
Anishinabe Nation : Verna Polson
Atikamekw Nation : Viviane Chilton
Eeyou Nation : Charlotte Ottereyes
Huron-Wendat Nation : Ève Bastien
Innu Nation: Marie-Josée Wapistan
Mi’gmaq Nation: Roseann Martin
Mohawk Nation: Melissa Montour
Naskapi Nation: (Interim) Annie Tooma
Wolastoqiyik (Malecite) Nation : Catherine Desjardins
Urban Area: Héléna Lalo
Youth Representative: Wynona Neashish
Elder Representative: Cécile Mark
Employee Representative: Nathalie Bussière
Executive Director: Claudette Dumont-Smith
Marjolaine Étienne has been President of QNW since 2021. Marjolaine is the spokesperson for QNW and represents the organization and the interests of Indigenous women at the governments and institutions. She takes pride in valuing traditional practices and in promoting respect for the identity and culture of the Nations and the Indigenous women.
presidente@faq-qnw.org
Claudette Dumont-Smith has held the position of Executive Director since 2021. Her role requires her to coordinate and direct, with the collaboration of the President, all the human, financial, material and technological resources necessary to achieve the mission of the Association. Her activities can be summed up in two major points: the follow-up of the employees' files and the fundraising agreements that allow the Association to accomplish its mandate.
dgenerale@faq-qnw.org
Laura Rock has held the position of Assistant Director since 2019. Her role is to support the President and assist the Executive Director on various issues such as managing administrative activities, personnel management as well as in developing organizational capacity.
dadjointe@faq-qnw.org
Sophia Dupont supports the management team and the coordinators in their files. She is responsible for drafting correspondence and reports. She schedules meetings and takes minutes. She ensures the smooth operation of the office and responds to various requests for information and services.
info@faq-qnw.org
Stéfanie Sirois-Gauthier has held the position of Policy and Legal Analyst since 2021. Her role is to ensure that policy and legal priorities and issues at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels that impact on the rights and interests of Indigenous women and their families are heard. She also supports the President in her advocacy functions, including the development of various interventions on issues affecting Indigenous women in Quebec's communities and urban areas.
analyste@faq-qnw.org
Nathalie Dodd holds the Finance Director position since 2021. Her role is tol liaise primarily with senior management on all financial aspects of the organization. It takes part in decision-making and occupies a central organizational position. Specifically, she oversees the accounting and preparation of budgets and she carries out cash management. It prepares financial statements and other analytical reports while evaluating accounting systems or practices.
finance@faq-qnw.org
Isabelle, Abenaki, held the position of Global Health Coordinator since 2020. She previously held the position of Coordinator for Non-Violence Promotion and the Native Shelter Network in Quebec from 2012 to 2020. In Global Health, her role is to promote the health of Indigenous women living in Quebec and to defend their interests.
Her main activities are:
- Develop prevention, education and awareness projects in the area of global health and sexual assault;
- To train Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers who intervene with Indigenous families in Quebec in order to improve cultural safety and combat prejudice. *We consider all front-line employees as well as police officers, nurses, psychologists, school educators, etc. as stakeholders.
health@faq-qnw.org
Nathalie Bussière has held the position of Youth coordinator since 2021. Having previously held other positions at Quebec Native Women for more than 8 years, she now works with the generation of change. Her responsibilities are to defend, support and empower young Indigenous women throughout Quebec. She coordinates and plans all activities relating to the file of young Indigenous women in Quebec.
Julia Dubé has held the position of Coordinator for the development of materials on non-violence since 2021. She reviews QNW's educational material and coordinates the production of new tools necessary to work on the issues of family violence for Indigenous women and their families. In addition, Julia facilitates awareness workshops on Indigenous women realities for non-Indigenous intervention workers.
materiel@faq-qnw.org
Léa Desjardins has held the position of Justice and Public Security Coordinator since 2022. Her role consists of coordinating the various files and projects related to the promotion and defence of Indigenous women's rights, and the representation of their interests on justice and public security issues. In order to improve their access to justice and safety, she maintains links and partnerships with the main actors and representatives of the justice and public security sector at the governmental and non-governmental levels.
ldesjardins@faq-qnw.org
Lise O'Bomsawin is the non-violence coordinator since.
Maureen Hervieux has held the position of Coordinator of the First Nations Sexual Assault Action Plan since 2022. Her role is to support First Nations communities in the implementation of the Action Plan produced at the First Nations Forum on Sexual Assault held in March 2018.
mhervieux@faq-qnw.org
Cherie Jacobs has served as our Digital Information Coordinator on family violence since October 2022. Her role is to create a series of podcasts on the subject of family violence in order to increase knowledge on violence prevetion, as well as to create a podcast database for the Quebec Native Women's website. She will also be available for conducting training workshops related to Indigenous women and colonization in English, with interested parties. Currently, she is seeking anonymous survivors' stories of their personal experiences with family violence.
cjacobs@faq-qnw.org
Léa Serier has been the Analyst for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples since October 2022. Her role is to ensure that the indigenous' women anf girls' human rights are respected in Quebec, and has two components.
On the one hand, the analyst's role is to work on the implementation of the UN Declaration in Canada and Quebec by participating in the creation and monitoring of a government action plan to meet the objectives of the Declaration by June 2023. This process includes consultations with women to validate the measures proposed by the government in the draft action plan and to identify gaps and additional measures if necessary. Once the action plan is validated, the analyst will follow up on its implementation.
lserier@faq-qnw.org
Doreen Petiquay Barthold has held the position of Communications Officer since 2021. Her primary role is to manage the organization's internal and external communications to ensure that QNW's voice is heard and communicated. She also manages the President's agenda and assists management in all ongoing projects.
communication@faq-qnw.org
Wendy Nicholas has held the position of Special Events Manager since 2022. Her role consists of responsible for planning the organization of special events such as the 50th anniversary of QNW and the Annual General Assembly (AGA) or other special events.
wnicholas@faq-qnw.org
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