Minister welcomes Nunatsiavut Status of Women Minister

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Minister of Education, is pleased to offer congratulations to Zippie Nochasak on her appointment as Nunatsiavut�s new Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Ms. Nochasak holds this post along with Minister of Environment, Lands and Natural Resources in the new Nunatsiavut government.

"Aboriginal women�s issues are important to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Burke, "and I look forward to working with the new minister to address issues of importance to Inuit women. The Government of Nunatsiavut has shown commitment to advancing women�s equality with the establishment of this position, and the women of the area will be served well by having someone within government to champion their issues."

Minister Burke noted that women often bring a different perspective to politics and decision-making. They are able to speak to their own concerns and work towards their own solutions. All societies benefit from having a balanced view, and having a voice in government is an important part of ensuring this balance. "As Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, advancing the status and quality of life for Aboriginal Women is a priority for me. On several occasions I have had the opportunity to travel throughout Labrador with the premier of our province, Danny Williams, and speak directly with Aboriginal women about the issues that are important to them. As a result of these meetings, we continue to work to address issues of violence, access to health care services, preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and addictions support and treatment. Minister Nochasak has an in-depth knowledge of the needs around these and other issues, and I wish her every success and offer her my support in her work to achieve equality for Inuit women."

The Nunatsiavut Government came into being on December 1, 2005, the date the recently negotiated Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement came into effect. It marks a new era in Labrador, one in which Inuit will have a new regime for land ownership, resource development and self-government. While the new government will continue to operate under many provincial and national systems, the President of the Labrador Inuit Association, William Anderson III, noted that the Inuit "will establish our own ways within those systems." "This appointment," said Minister Burke, "signals that those ways will include women�s ways."

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 01 26                    9:55 a.m.