An agreement between the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association will ensure that more projects consider the perspective of aboriginal women.

“Nova Scotia’s aboriginal women have a unique voice and this partnership will allow the province and the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association to collaborate on projects and strategies,” said Minister responsible for the Status of Women Joanne Bernard. “I’m pleased that this agreement will allow us to share our work and support each other on issues of mutual concern.”

The government will invest $30,000 over the three-year agreement to support partnership activities between the two groups, to be determined each year.

Cheryl Maloney, president of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association, welcomed the partnership.

“We are grateful for the dialogue, open communication and commitment of the premier and the government to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal women in the province of Nova Scotia.”

This year, the focus of the collaborative work has been on ensuring that the voices of aboriginal women are included in the design phase of the province’s sexual violence strategy. The next project will build mentoring programs for aboriginal girls.

Source: Release