ONWA Mandate
The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) is a not for profit organization that empowers and supports Aboriginal women and their families in the province of
Ontario.
Affiliated with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), ONWA encourages
the participation of Aboriginal women in the development of federal, provincial; municipal/local government policies that impact their lives and ensures issues
affecting Aboriginal women and their families are heard at key government tables.
ONWA is committed to providing services that strengthen communities and
guarantees the preservation of Aboriginal culture, identity, art, language and
heritage. Ending violence against Aboriginal women and their families and ensuring
equal access to justice, education, health services, environmental stewardship and economic development, sits at the cornerstone of the organization. ONWA insists on
social and cultural well – being for all Aboriginal women and their families, so that all women, regardless of tribal heritage may live their best life.
ONWA Objectives
- To build relationships with all levels of government and other organizations to collaborate on all socio-economic issues affecting the well-being of all
Aboriginal women and their families. (physical)
- To increase Aboriginal women’s skills and capacity in planning, developing
and managing an array of programs and services that directly impacts their
lives and those of their families. (mental)
- To continue to work towards unity amongst Aboriginal women and their
families to affect positive change in society in recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion for all people. - Through a communication strategy with our membership we will
encourage a unified voice to fully participate politically to ensure
Aboriginal women and their families are appropriately represented
- To promote and advance equality and social justice issues as they affect the realities of Aboriginal women’s lives. (emotional)
- Through the design, development and delivery of resource materials
and capacity development opportunities.
- To preserve and promote the sacred roles of Aboriginal women and their
families as valued and respected members in the community. (spiritual)
- To administer services in a culturally respectful manner.
- To provide opportunities for Aboriginal women to learn and teach traditional
ways of living a good life to future generations that are unique to Aboriginal
culture.