10    
  Spring/Summer 2026
O
nce again, we gather for the summer solstice to celebrate the incredible 
work and voices of Indigenous women across the province and beyond. 
In this 14th issue of She is Wise magazine, we are honoured to share 
the stories and knowledges of Indigenous women on the frontlines 
of the ongoing housing crisis. These stories, each imbued with the centring of safety for 
Indigenous women and their families, highlight some of the powerful ways that Indigenous 
women are breaking ground for revitalization of community and shared strength.
Indigenous women have always known what is needed to build each other up and to ensure 
the blossoming of our families, communities and nations. For generations, we have faced 
systemic barriers that have compromised our safety. As we have always done, we look to 
the work of Indigenous women who are demanding justice and creating the safe spaces 
they know are needed. ONWA is proud to shine light on this work happening within our 
membership and beyond – each story reminds us that we must work collectively to effect-
ively enact meaningful change. 
In the East, we welcome the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition to ONWA’s membership and 
celebrate their groundbreaking work in building safe spaces for Inuit women experiencing 
violence. In the South, we listen to our Ma-ori relations in Aotearoa as they bring light to 
Indigenous women’s experiences of homelessness that are otherwise invisible to main-
stream data. In the West, we see how the meaningful work of Indigenous women providing 
shelter and care is echoing across the province. And in the North, we see how Indigenous 
women’s knowledges are helping communities adapt against the detrimental effects of 
climate change on addressing housing needs in fly-in communities.
With every new issue of this magazine, we continue to learn from the Indigenous women 
who are building each other up in revolutionary ways. Indigenous women embody strength 
and power in all that they do, fighting for rights, creating the safety they need and bringing 
communities and families together in healing and support. ONWA is proud to share these 
stories with you today, with deep gratitude for those who continue to do this incredible 
heart work.
 
CENTRING SAFETY
Cora McGuire-Cyrette 
Chief Executive Officer, 
ONWA
Message from the 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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