5th Continental Meeting of Indigenous Women of the Americas

Tentative Agenda

The Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas (CNIWA, Enlace Continental de Mujeres Indígenas de las Américas) is pleased to announce that the Fifth Continental Meeting of Indigenous Women of the Americas will be hosted by Quebec Native Women (QNW).

Purpose

Indigenous women of the Americas will share spiritual wisdom and teachings leading the way to strengthen cultural identity and language. This continental meeting will also focus on the exchange of support and capacity-building strategies for the defence of Indigenous women’s rights and promotion of their well-being to further empower Indigenous women at the local, national and international level.

Objectives

To promote and support healthy leadership amongst Indigenous women through the discussions and encouragement of the use of the Medicine Wheel by Indigenous women leaders:

Support the sharing of Indigenous spirituality to address issues related to cultural identity and language;

Analyze global themes that affect the lives and well-being of Indigenous women;

Encourage strategic alliances between Indigenous women;

Reinforce the infrastructure and operational capacity of the Network;

Promote participation in the Fifth Continental Meeting of Indigenous women from a diversity of regions, backgrounds, and generations.

JULY 8, 2007

4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration and distribution of programs.

JULY 9, 2007

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration and distribution of programs.

1:00 p.m.

Opening ceremonies: Mélanie Vincent, MC

Opening prayer by Mohawk Clan Mother Norma Delaronde

Welcome song by Kontirennotá:tie: Kanehsatake Mohawk Women Singers

Tribute to Women of the World by Don Patrick Martin and Marcel Tessier, native singers

Opening remarks by Ellen Gabriel and Sonia Henriquez

Panel theme: Elders Speak

Norma Delaronde, Juana Vasquez, Teresa Contreras, Doris Peters, John Cree

4:00 to 5:15, PLENARY

International Instruments

Margarita Gutierrez (Mexico)

Tonya Gonnella-Frichner (United-States)

Celeste McKay (Metis Nation, Canada)

THEMATIC AGENDA OF JULY 10TH AND 11TH

JULY 10, 2007

8:15 – 8:30, PLENARY

Opening Prayer

8:30 – 11:00, PLENARY

Mental Health

Suzy Goodleaf (Mohawk, Canada)

Wanda Gabriel (Mohawk, Canada)

10:15 –10:30, BREAK

11:00 –12:00, PLENARY

Indigenous Women’s Health

Katherine Minich (Inuit)

Maria Hueichaqueo (Mapuche, Chile)

12:00 – 1:00, LUNCH

1:00 – 3:00, PLENARY

Human Rights and the issue of Violence

Anik Sioui (Wendat, Canada)

Ximena Figueroa (Colombia))

Judge June Lorenzo (New Mexico, United-States)

Beverly Jacobs (Mohawk, Canada)

Peggy Bird (Kewa Nation, New Mexico, US)

3:00 – 3:15, BREAK

3:15 – 5:30, PLENARY

Academics and Policy in Research Development

Dr. Lisa Sterling (Nlkapamux Nation, Canada)

Audra Simpson

Claudie Gosselin, Hélène Des Celles, Gisèle Morin-Labatut (CRDI, Canada)

Dr. Rosalin Hanna (Nation Lytton, Canada)

DIALOG – Mexico – Leadership

NCFNG

Closing prayer for the day

5:30 – 7:00, SUPPER

7:00 – 9:00, OPEN DISCUSSION

JULY 11, 2007

8:15 – 8:30, PLENARY

Opening Prayer

8:30 – 10:30, PLENARY

Entrepreneurship and Indigenous Women

Francine Whiteduck (Algonquine, Canada)

Economic Development

Kathryn Fournier (INAC, Canada)

Brigitte D’Aoust (CEDA, Canada)

Paola Ortega (Panama)

Mónica Aleman (Miskito Nation , Nicaragua)

10:30-10:45, BREAK

10:45- 12:00, PLENARY

Leadership

Myrna Cunningham (Miskito Nation, Nicaragua)

Mérilda St-Onge (Innu Nation, Canada)

Norma Kassi (Gwich'in Nation, Canada)

Noeli Pocaterra (Wayuu Nation, Venezuela)