b"COVER STORYMessage fromTHE PRESIDENTRELATIONS, KNOWING AND BEINGDebra Vermette Since time immemorial, Indigenous women have been leaders in healthcare within our families, communities and Nations. President, ONWA From midwives to grandmothers, we have cared for people in our communities through every stage of life. onwa.ca This ninth issue of She is Wise looks at some of the extraordinary ways that Indigenous women continue our traditional ways of knowing and being. Our @ONWA7 practices reflect how we care for one another in our personal relationships and work innovatively to address the specific needs of Indigenous people. @_ONWA_@onwa_official Critical to our work, Indigenous women have been severely impacted by colonial influence and oppressionparticularly in equitable access to healthcare systems. For ONWA, Indigenous womens safety is a priority, recognizing that when Indigenous women are well, our families, communities and Nations are well.ONWA is proud to share these stories, highlighting the many ways that Indigenous women across the country are using their inherent knowledge and ways of being to advocate for equitable care and promote wellness for all Indigenous peoples. While there remains much work to be done to create safe healthcare systems for Indigenous women, the promise of ongoing efforts and initiatives brings us hope for the next seven generations to come.DebraVermet tePublished by: CONTRIBUTING EDITORDESIGN SPECIALISTAll rights reserved.Ingrid Green Bethany Giesbrecht The contentsof this is published for Ontario Nativepublication may not beWomen's AssociationASSISTANT CONTRIBUTING EDITOR PRESIDENTreproduced by any means, in www.mediaedgepublishing.com Sarah McPherson Kevin Brown whole or in part, without the SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTprior written consent of the 33 South Station StreetEDITORRobert Thompson association.Toronto, OntarioM9N 2B2Roma IhnatowyczToll Free: 1-866-480-4717BRANCH MANAGER She is Wise is printed robertt@mediaedge.ca NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVESNancie Priv on 10% post-consumer Return undeliverables to: NATIONAL DIRECTOR OFApril Hawkes, Nolan Ackman, FSC certified paper using P.O. Box 15-684 City Road,PUBLISHINGPublished soya based inks. When Fort William First NationMaurice P. LaBorde Pat Johnston, Ashley Huston December 2023 necessary to mail an issue ON P7J 1K3in an enclosure, we use an 807-577-1492MANAGING EDITORSENIOR DESIGN SPECIALISTPublication Mail environmentally-friendly, 100% www.onwa.ca Andr MorriseauMarisa Giesbrecht Agreement #40787580 oxo-degradable poly-wrap. 6Fall/Winter 2023"