The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to be co-hosting the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit from June 20 to 22, in cooperation with the Native Women’s Association of Canada, with support from the Government of Canada. We look forward to welcoming all delegates to the City of Corner Brook, on our province’s beautiful west coast.

The theme chosen for the summit is Strong Women: Strong Communities. We will focus on Health, Safety and Wellness; Equality and Empowerment; and, Strength, Balance and Honour. These themes were chosen because women are leaders in the home and builders of family. We believe that improving the lives of women is one of the best ways to improve the lives of families and in turn their communities.

Aboriginal women’s issues have certainly been a priority for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. We want this Summit to be a call to action for the federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as Aboriginal governments and organizations, to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal women across the country.

There have been ongoing regional processes leading up to the summit. Many provinces and territories have hosted their own meetings with Aboriginal women to discuss the issues they face in their home communities. This summit is the culmination of these discussions and I believe this consultative approach will serve us well throughout our meetings.

As the host government, we look forward to having delegates from across the country visit our province. During your stay, we encourage you to take advantage of the many incredible sites and experiences that our province has to offer and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

I look forward to seeing you in June, for a successful and productive Summit that will effect meaningful change in the lives of Aboriginal women throughout this country.

Sincerely,