FOR RELEASE     #07-217
October 12, 2007

WHITEHORSE - The Women's Directorate and Yukon Advisory Council on Women's Issues (YACWI) are co-hosting two Aboriginal women’s summits in Yukon this fall.

"The summits will bring women together to communicate the outcomes of the national summit, and help determine priorities for furthering Aboriginal women’s equality," Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate, Elaine Taylor said.

In June, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Native Women's Association of Canada, and the Government of Canada, hosted a National Aboriginal Women's Summit, attended by over 300 delegates from all provinces and territories across Canada as well as premiers, chiefs and government officials. The Yukon government supported this initiative by sending a delegation of 11 Yukon women.

"I'm looking forward to discussing the issues arising from the National Summit with Yukon Aboriginal women," Barb Hume, YACWI and Summit Planning Committee member said.  "The Yukon summits will focus on Yukon Aboriginal women's priorities."

The Yukon Aboriginal Women's Summits Planning Committee includes members of the Yukon delegation who attended the National Aboriginal Women's Summit, YACWI members and the Women’s Directorate.  Over 150 Yukon First Nation women are expected to attend the summits in Watson Lake Nov. 16-17 and Whitehorse Nov. 22-24.

"The theme of the summits is Strong Women, Strong Communities: Furthering Aboriginal Women’s Equality," the President of the Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council, Lorraine O'Brien said.  "We will incorporate the experience and outcomes of the national summit and create a Yukon-made set of follow-up initiatives for Aboriginal women."

To register, please contact the Women's Directorate at 667-3030 or 1-661-0408 extension 3030. The next national summit will be held in Yellowknife in 2008.

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