Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Presentation by Sharon McIvor, Spokesperson Native Women's Association of Canada

File contains a presentation by Sharon McIvor, Spokesperson, Native Women's Association of Canada. McIvor gives an overview of the history and condition of Aboriginal women in Canada, who at the time of the Commission made up 52% of the Aboriginal population. McIvor is critical of the Commission for not granting funds to her organization for research purposes, and announces her expectation that the Commission's final report should reflect women's equal place with men in Canadian society under the Charter of Rights and Freedom, and not be relegated to the status of an "interest group...like elders and youth and urban Natives." McIvor's presentation addresses a wide variety of social and economic issues facing Aboriginal women in Canada including the legacy of colonization, relations with male dominated Aboriginal groups, violence, the justice system, self-governance, and income concerns. Following the presentation is discussion between the assembled Commissioners, McIvor, and Teressa Nahanee (also of the NWAC) on some of the issues raised.