Chiefs of Ontario support events that recognize ‘Woman Abuse Prevention Month’

Toronto, ON – Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy encourages everyone to support campaigns happening across communities in Ontario this November including Woman Abuse Prevention Month – which focuses on every woman’s fundamental right to live in safety and security in her home and community – free from the threat of violence.

First Nation leadership in Ontario have signed a Declaration by First Nations Political Leadership to Support Ending Violence in Our Communities and Against Our Peoples last year and are working with the Ontario government and Canada in order to end violence and the discrimination of services for our community members, in particular our women and children.

“These campaigns are a chance for us to not only remember the importance of ending the violence that  many Indigenous women and girls have experienced, but also an opportunity to honour our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins and aunties,” Ontario Regional Chief Beardy said. “It is an opportunity for communities to demonstrate that our First Nations women and girls are valued and have a right to live in safety, free from violence.”

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is commemorated worldwide on November 25 and invites individuals and groups to mobilize and call for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

The First Nation Women’s Caucus will attend the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres’ press conference at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm to re-launch Kanawayhitowin – Honour Life, End Violence, a public education campaign which is intended to raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women and girls.

The new public education campaign will include television, radio, and banner advertisements, intended to raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women while also providing supports, resources, and services to Indigenous women who are or have experienced violence.

In Timmins, Northern College students enrolled in the Social Services Worker Program are organizing a ‘Moment of Silence’ event on Friday, November 28, 2014 at 11:28 am to remember women who have lost their lives to violence. The group has created a Facebook event page and is asking people to spread the word about their “Moment of Silence” November 28 event.

The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook or Twitter @ChiefsOfOntario.