b'KNOWING: ONWA ADVOCACYMcGuire-Cyrette. [We need] to build ourin the worldand will participate in theensure that there are youth attending own capacity to be participating here so weHealing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW)and presenting as well. can advocate for ourselves. event here in Canada in September. The gathering takes place every fourMore than 50 years since its founding, Understanding how technology couldyears rotating between Canada, AustraliaONWA continues to expand their work be used in areas of accessing health andand New Zealand, providing a space foramplifying Indigenous womens voices education services was enlightening. ThereIndigenous peoples to share best practices.across the globe. As McGuire-Cyrette are practices happening in Third Worldexplains: Its time for us to reclaim our countries that Canada could adopt to makeWhen it was last held in Australia, ONWAvoices and our leadership in being able it easier for Indigenous women to accessbrought youth ambassadors to present andto tell our own story of who we are, the health services especially, but that requires amentor them in speaking on issues thatissues were facing, and the solutions to commitment to technological infrastructureaffect their lives. This was key to buildingthese issues. Thats critical, and thats that most First Nations currently do not have.their capacity to do international work. Forwhat reconciliation with Indigenous Further to this, ONWA recognizes the needthe 2023 HOSW conference, ONWA willwomen looks like.to provide education and awareness training around internet safety and technology, espe-cially to young Indigenous women and girls.More recently, ONWA participated in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where this years focus was on health. We know that Indigenous peopleand particularly Indigenous womendid not have quality access to services during the pandemic, so we were there to amplify that issue, McGuire-Cyrette says.Looking ahead, ONWA will attend the Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda in Julythe largest womens conference Shanaya Echum (left) with Alana Robert at the 2023 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous IssuesNIAGARA CHAPTER NATIVE WOMEN INC.Providing programs / services for Indigenous women & their families in the Bi-National Niagara Region for 40 years.Chi Miigwetch to all our wonderful speakers, sponsors & supporters for an outstanding event.Look forward to 2024!CELEBRATE OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!!Sponsors welcome, check us out at www.ncnw.caMain office: Fort Erie, ON, Canada905.871.8770Ontario Native Womens Association37'