Ontario Native Women's Assn

As the Executive Director of the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) I am proud of the work we do on behalf of Indigenous Women and families in Ontario.  My knowledge has grown over the years as have my life experiences and personal growth leading this extraordinary organization.

My undergraduate degree in Bachelor of the Arts, with a double major concentration in Indigenous Learning and Sociology from Lakehead University has supported my passion for creating safe spaces for Indigenous women and families in our communities. Bringing forward the original teachings keeps me grounded in our culture and is a driving force in my work

As lead Manager of the Summit to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women, the foundation of the Strategic Framework to Ending Violence Against Aboriginal Women in Ontario, to addressing human trafficking of Indigenous women and girls while creating strategies for the elimination of human trafficking, my role as ED keeps me front and centre of the issues affecting Indigenous women and families in Ontario. 

I have participated at numerous provincial and National tables to create policy change, address systemic discrimination and advocating for gender equality and equity. This includes participating at the National Roundtable for Missing & Murdered Indigenous women, National Indigenous Women’s Summit, Provincial Summit on Sexual Violence and Harassment, Joint Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women, Indigenous Human Trafficking Committee, Urban Indigenous Policy Engagement Table, Indigenous Housing Strategy, Special Priority Policy Table, Ontario Indigenous Housing Support Services Board of Directors and the Urban Indigenous Health Table. 

These are some of the areas that I have successfully championed through a culturally relevant gender based analysis.

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I am confident that our website will open a window of understanding for you into the programs, services and work that ONWA is engaged in throughout the Province of Ontario throughout the year.