Program Description

After almost one year of negotiations, NWAC is pleased to announce that they have signed a five year contribution agreement with the government of Canada. The agreement was signed on Tuesday November 15, 2005. Through the Sisters in Spirit initiative, NWAC will work in collaboration with other Aboriginal women’s organizations and the federal government to improve the human rights of Aboriginal women and address the violence facing Aboriginal women, in particular the high rates of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. This will be done through activities in various areas.

The main objective of the Sisters in Spirit initiative is to address violence against Aboriginal (First Nations Inuit and Métis) women, particularly racialized and/or sexualized violence, that is, violence perpetrated against Aboriginal women because of their gender and Aboriginal identity. This type of violence typically occurs in the public sphere, where societal indifference often leaves Aboriginal women at greater risk.

NWAC is very excited to embark on this five-year research, education and policy initiative. Specifically, the funding is designed to increase public understanding and knowledge at a national level of the impact of racialized, sexualized violence against Aboriginal women often leading to their disappearance and death.

The initiative will be undertaking qualitative (life histories) and quantitative research on racialized, sexualized violence against Aboriginal women with cooperating families who have female family members that are missing or murdered, in order to gain a better understanding of circumstances, root causes and trends. The initiative will develop community education/action kits for use by community organizations, as well as host some workshops and conferences. NWAC will work with participating families and the community to develop a policy agenda in order to influence required changes with government and community.

First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples, Aboriginal communities and organizations shall continue to have opportunities to access funding from government programs and services for their activities at the local, provincial and national levels. Nothing in the contribution agreement signed by NWAC either directly or by implication hinders these opportunities for other organizations to fund their own activities. NWAC encourages organizations to continue to apply for funds at the community, provincial/territorial and federal level for their activities. NWAC is not permitted to enter into third party agreements with the funding they have received for their national activities.

Benefits of Sister in Spirit for Aboriginal Families and Communities

• Sisters in Spirit will help mobilize the caring power of community
• Sisters in Spirit will provide tools on its website to help families navigate the justice and other systems effectively
• The Sisters in Spirit initiative website will provide links to community organizations providing front-line service delivery
• The Sisters in Spirit media strategy will aim to reassure families that they are not forgotten and that their loved one is presented fairly, without stereotype or prejudice
• The Sisters in Spirit research will help to validate the experience of the families, help create much needed networks and promote healing
• The Sisters in Spirit initiative will target root causes; families may benefit from prevention strategies, learning to identify risk and develop safety plans
• In conjunction with other organizations, the Sisters in Spirit initiative will work to increase trust, and inspire hope that violence against Aboriginal people will end
• It is hoped that families will have more peace of mind knowing that Sisters in Spirit is raising national awareness
• The Sisters in Spirit initiative curriculum will take into account the needs of the whole family

Sisters in Spirit Logo

Grandmother Moon is a powerful teaching about Aboriginal women’s special connection to our Grandmothers who have passed into the Spirit world. Grandmother Moon provides us direction, strength, knowledge and wisdom in taking our sacred place in our families, communities and beyond. She teaches us about our sacred role as the life-givers and the heart of our nations — for without women our nations cannot go on. We need Grandmother Moon’s presence in our lives now more than ever, especially for our young women who live in the dark and struggle to live in the light.

Artist Dick Baker designed the Kwakuitl Moon for the front of the poster, as well as carving a memorial that now stands in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Dick has been carving for 54 years and uses Squamish and Kwakuitl styles, taught to him by Chief Mathias and Ellen Neel respectively. Of Kwakuitl and Coast Salish descent, Dick currently lives on the Capilano Reserve.

Grandmother Moon

You know all women from birth to death

We seek your knowledge

We seek your strength

Some are STARS up there with you

Some are STARS on Mother Earth

Grandmother, lighten our path in the dark

Creator, keep our sisters safe from harm

Maa duu? Mussi Cho

- Kukdookaa