Prominent Aboriginal Leaders to be Featured at Women's Leadership Summit

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be at the forefront in supporting the efforts of Aboriginal women to be leaders and advocates for positive social change. The Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, will discuss the progress made by Aboriginal women in this province during an upcoming summit in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The Arnait Nipingit Leadership Summit: Collecting, Connecting and Creating Women's Voices in Nunavut, will take place September 13-17.

On the morning of September 16, Minister Pottle will take part in a panel discussion of women and political leadership in the North. The panel will feature 10 Aboriginal women who have distinguished themselves as leaders. Participants joining Minister Pottle include the Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health and MP for Nunavut; and, Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is recognized on the national stage as a leader in advancing the circumstances of Aboriginal women and encouraging them to take on leadership roles," said Minister Pottle. "With such a distinguished gathering of Aboriginal leaders, this is sure to be a thoughtful discussion of women and political leadership."

This province held the first-ever National Aboriginal Women's summit in 2007 and continues to make advancements in challenging areas such as violence prevention, poverty reduction, health, education and justice. Initiatives under Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future include:

• New funding for shelters in Hopedale, Rigolet and Nain for the expansion of family justice services in Labrador to serve Aboriginal North Coast communities, and an increased and regular police presence in the community of Postville;
• $200,000 through the Violence Prevention Initiative to support the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and children;
• $125,000 for Aboriginal women in five Inuit communities in Labrador to better access programs and services that will result in real differences in their lives and allow them to share in available social and economic benefits; and,
• $100,000 to the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network to address issues in their communities such as poverty and violence in ways that are culturally sensitive.

"Financial support for these initiatives is critically important to our government as we recognize the need to ensure social supports for Aboriginal women," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador. "The annual Provincial Aboriginal Women's Conference and our annual Aboriginal Violence Prevention Grants Program support Aboriginal women in all regions of this province."

"I am honoured to represent the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and this province's Aboriginal women at such an important gathering," said Minister Pottle. "We are seeing positive social and economic change throughout all of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Aboriginal women are working hard to make that change happen. During the Arnait Nipingit Leadership Summit, I look forward to sharing some of our accomplishments, including those achieved through progressive initiatives such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Northern Strategic Plan."

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2010 09 10                                                   10:20 a.m.