Blackbear

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/June2006/22/c8710.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../22/c8710.html)
Attention News Editors:
Matrimonial Real Property Acknowledged
OTTAWA, June 22 /CNW Telbec/ - Native Women's Association of Canada

(NWAC) President Beverley Jacobs applauds the Minister of Indian and Northern

Affairs, Honourable Jim Prentice in appointing Wendy Grant- John as his

Ministerial Representative to assist in the consultation process and on the

intention to launch a full consultation process in the fall.

First Nations and Aboriginal communities will be provided opportunity to

develop solutions to the issue of Matrimonial Real Property on reserve. The

legislative gap was identified 20 years ago and continues to be a serious

human rights violation.

NWAC has long recognized that Aboriginal women lack access to matrimonial

property rights and that this is exacerbated by the chronic housing shortage

on reserve. It has led to many Aboriginal women and their children being

forced to leave their communities.

"There are clear linkages between human rights violations, poverty, and

violence against Aboriginal women in Canada and addressing these issues will

begin the process of closing the severe socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal

peoples and the rest of Canada" said President Jacobs.

Jacobs also acknowledges that this is the first time that a Minster of

Indian Affairs has placed issues facing Aboriginal women, children and

families at the forefront and has committed to addressing issues of violence

and other very fundamental human rights.

NWAC is of the firm belief that resolving these issues are paramount to

ensuring the quality of life for Aboriginal women and their children and the

well being of Aboriginal communities.

"This has been what we have been saying for over thirty years now and we

will work with this government to ensure that these priority areas will result

in significant changes in the lives of Aboriginal women and their children"

said President Jacobs

NWAC submitted to the Federal Government a comprehensive and broad

proposal on Matrimonial Real Property. The cornerstone of an NWAC led

consultation will be finding solutions from those women and their children who

are and continue to be negatively impacted by this issue.

"We know that these women who have survived this experience hold the key

and we want to ensure that they are meaningfully consulted and that women have

a safe avenue to bring their solutions forward."

NWAC looks forward to working with the responsible departments in the

coming months and fully engaging our constituents on this most important

initiative.

For further information: Linda Kayseas, Media Coordinator, (613)

722-3033 ext. 231, Mobile: (613) 552-4249

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