Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)

10/22/2026

Join us in celebrating two incredible Indigenous women leaders, Omeniho and Kilabuk, whose advocacy and leadership around MMIWG and improving Indigenous women’s safety has been recognized by the Governor General of Canada and Women and Gender Equality Canada. Indigenous women are the medicine needed to heal ourselves, our families, and communities.

Learn more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/news/2026/10/minister-valdez-announces-recipients-of-the-2026-governor-generals-awards-in-commemoration-of-the-persons-case.html

Meet the recipients of the 2026 Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (left to right in the image);

• Penney Kome
• Dr. Amanda McCormick
• Sunny Marriner
• Melanie Omeniho
• Yanique Brandford (Youth recipient)
• Amanda Kilabuk

The Awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing equality for women and girls in Canada. This year’s recipients are being recognized for their leadership and the lasting impact of their work.

Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/news/2026/10/minister-valdez-announces-recipients-of-the-2026-governor-generals-awards-in-commemoration-of-the-persons-case.html to learn more about their remarkable contributions to making Canada a more inclusive place for all.

10/21/2026

Make your voice heard!

Join us for Thunder Bay’s first ever Indigenous Forum for Mayoral Candidates. You will have the opportunity to meet the candidates running to lead the city, hear what they have to say on issues of importance to the Indigenous community, and ask the questions that matter to you.

Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM | Doors open & light meal at 5PM
Location: Superior Inn Hotel, Embassy Room

Can't make it to the forum? We will be broadcasting the event on Facebook Live, Youtube Live and Twitch!

10/21/2026

Indigenous women are leading the work to create safety in their communities.

This includes the Indigenous Women’s Accountability Table - a national table of Indigenous women leaders working to creating safety and healing for Indigenous women through systemic change, and holding governments accountable for commitments to address the MMIWG crisis.

It is time to walk alongside us and advance Indigenous women-led solutions to safety and healing.

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Indigenous women are leading the work to create safety in their com...

10/21/2026

Hide Camp with the ONWA Cultural Team
Date/Time- Monday, October 26th, 2026 - Thursday, October 29th, 2026. 10am-3pm.
Location: In the yard at 380 Ray Blvd, Thunder Bay

Registration is open to all community members. Lunch will be provided for those who registered.
The event will be taking place outside, so please dress according to the weather.

Its also encouraged to bring your own chair if you have one.

Notice that there may be photos and videos taken during the event.

🔗To register visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/R0gshRvKZp

10/21/2026

📣 Mark your calendars!

ONWA’s She Is Wise Nibwaakaa Inaadiziwin: 8th Annual Conference is set for February 17–19, 2027, at Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre (101 Lyon St N, Ottawa, ON, K1R 5T9, Canada).

We’re planning something powerful — stay tuned for details!

10/20/2026

Municipal Elections 2026: Indigenous women’s voices create change in communities.

The municipal election on October 26 is an important opportunity to influence future decisions about local priorities and services.

Municipalities are responsible for many services that directly affect the lives of Indigenous women and their families, including housing, community safety, public health, childcare, and public transit.

Make an informed choice – learn about your local candidates on https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-ontario-municipalities. You may also contact candidates’ campaign offices.

10/20/2026

The recommendations laid out in Breaking Free from Family Violence, 1989 and echoed in countless reports led by Indigenous women remain urgent and unmet. Nearly four decades later, Indigenous women are still not safe. Our truths continue to be elevated, including through the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice.

For decades we have outlined the path to safety. It is time to walk alongside us and act.

We all have a role to play, and responsibility to pick up.

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Our safety is sacred.Indigenous women have long identified the so...

10/20/2026

Construction is complete and our Ottawa office location has been reopened for regular office hours.

To see our locations and office hours, visit https://www.onwa.ca/contact-us

10/20/2026

Make your voice heard!

Join us for Thunder Bay’s first ever Indigenous Forum for Mayoral Candidates on October 22, 2026, where you will have the opportunity to meet the candidates running to lead the city, hear what they have to say on issues of importance to the Indigenous community, and ask the questions that matter to you.

Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM | Doors open & light meal at 5PM
Location: Superior Inn Hotel, Embassy Room

This event is about bringing candidates, Indigenous organizations and Indigenous community members together for an open conversation about how

we can work together to create positive change for Indigenous people who live in, work in, and visit Thunder Bay.

You’ll have a chance to:
Meet the mayoral candidates and hear directly from them.
Ask questions and get their perspectives on issues impacting Indigenous people in Thunder Bay
Share your concerns and solutions.

The event will be moderated by Wendy Landry.

All the mayoral candidates have been invited. Confirmed candidates (so far!):
Maureen (Moe) Comuzzi
Peter Diedrich
Trevor Giertuga
Volker Kromm
Aldo Ruberto
Wolfgang Schoor
Doug Vincent

We hope to see you there.

10/19/2026

ONWA is encouraging Indigenous women to take up their leadership roles by voting in the municipal elections taking place today.

The mayors and councillors elected today will be responsible for making decisions that directly affect safety and wellbeing of Indigenous women and their families, in areas such as public health, community safety, and housing.

Our leadership on these issues matters!

🔗 For more information about where and how to vote, visit your municipality’s website https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-ontario-municipalities.