Ontario Native Women's Association

The Ontario Native Women's Association is an organisation in Thunder Bay named in the obituary of Annie Mcguire.

In Anishinabek News

• April 2013: The organization is launching the Ontario Indigenous Women's Water Commission to reassert the traditional roles of Indigenous women in water stewardship. Its planning process for the commission involved collaboration between grandmothers, traditional knowledge holders, and women from various First Nations communities.
• August 2014: The first chapter of this organization on Manitoulin Island was established by Linda Madahbee-Thibodeau.
• January 2015: The organization hosted its annual general assembly in Thunder Bay during November 2014. The event marked the first time in the 43-year history of the organization that a premier attended the gathering.
• February 2015: Beverly Sabourin was involved with this association during her career.
• April 2016: The association provided a presentation on its programming and justice initiatives at a forum in Thunder Bay in 2016.
• September 2016: The organization was recognized for its work in protecting future generations.
• September 2016: The organization collaborated with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres to launch a public awareness video in Thunder Bay in September 2016. The association aims to create a dialogue about domestic violence and the safety needs of Indigenous women through the Breaking Free, Breaking Through project.
• March 2017: The association's Aboriginal Justice Program was a presentation topic at the Access to Justice Forum 2017.
• June 2017: The organization held an Indigenous Women’s Leadership Forum facilitated by Kirstine Baccar.
• February 2018: The association supported the 2017 Grandmothers Gathering in Sault Ste. Marie.
• May 2018: The organization employs Shelley Knott, who attended a student performance in Thunder Bay on May 9, 2018.
• October 2018: The organization hosted a forum on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Thunder Bay on October 11-12, 2018. The event brought together health professionals to discuss cultural approaches to wellness and maternal health.
• November 2018: The association collaborated with Beendigen Anishinabe Women's Crisis Home and Family Healing Centre to launch the Talk4Healing helpline provincially.
• November 2018: The organization launched the Building Our Bundles Art Installation at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on November 8, 2018. The project was designed to develop Indigenous-informed learning materials for students and educators. The initiative focused on the stories and experiences of Anishinaabe women from the Robinson Superior region.
• May 2019: Marlene Pierre highlighted the organization's role in participating in national discussions regarding the Constitution of Canada. The group was the only one from across the country to participate in the constitutional discussions from start to finish.
• November 2019: Josephine Mandamin was an employee of this organization when she began her Water Walks.
• December 2019: The organization launched its official biannual magazine, She is Wise, in October 2019. The association works to end racism and violence while celebrating the successes of Indigenous women. The group produced a report on improving services for survivors of human trafficking and manages the Letters of Legacy campaign.
• February 2020: Jeannette Corbiere Lavell was a founding member and a former president of this association.
• September 2020: The association partnered with other groups to organize the FASD Awareness Day Pow Wow 2020: Honouring Mothers, Honouring Families. It provided funding to Beendigen Anishinabe Women's Crisis Home and Family Healing Agency for personal protective equipment and other needs.
• October 2020: The organization released a report in October 2020 titled Reconciliation with Indigenous Women: Changing the Story of MMIWG. The group joined the federal government's 11th Indigenous Women’s Working Group to provide expertise on safety issues. Since 1971, the association has focused on advocacy, research, and programs to end violence and ensure equal access to services for women in Ontario.
• April 2021: The organization sent congratulations to Catherine Banning upon her appointment as a lay bencher.
• May 2021: The organization partnered with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to urban Indigenous residents.
• May 2021: The organization acknowledged the release of the Pathways to Safety strategy in Thunder Bay on May 27, 2021. The association advocated for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and emphasized the need for community-based approaches to ending violence. Board President Dawn Lavell-Harvard stated that Indigenous women serve as a source of resistance against those who wish to see them disappear.
• August 2021: The organization provided the Grandmother Earth Dress for the Waniskahtan Exhibit in Thunder Bay. It collaborated with Lakehead University to create a video presentation for the exhibit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive director Cora McGuire-Cyrette stated the exhibit helps keep the memories of lost family members alive.
• October 2021: The organization delivered a presentation on Indigenous anti-human trafficking during a webinar series at Lakehead University in October 2021. Staff members work to increase awareness about violence against Indigenous women and provide support for families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The group discussed the Journey to Safe Spaces report and the Reconciliation with Indigenous Women report, which contain recommendations on moving away from violence. The organization's work involves cultural reconnection, traditional healing, and creating safe spaces for families.
• October 2021: The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 22, 2021, in Thunder Bay. Over the year preceding October 2021, the association provided services to more than 50,000 people. As of October 2021, the group focuses on eight priority areas including human trafficking, child welfare, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• February 2022: The organization was formerly led by Josephine Mandamin, who served as its executive director. As of February 2022, executive director Cora McGuire-Cyrette stated that Indigenous women have a responsibility to care for Mother Earth.
• March 2022: The local Anishnaabekweweg of the North Shore branch of this organization co-hosted a conference in 2010 with Karl Hele.
• April 2022: Jeannette Corbiere Lavell was a co-founder and former president of this association.
• December 2022: The organization hosted its seventh annual Poetry Night at the Chanterelle Inn on the Park in Thunder Bay on November 25, 2022. It supports the Strong Hands Stop Violence project as part of an international campaign against gender-based violence. The event was led by the organization's executive director, Cora McGuire-Cyrette.
• December 2022: As of December 2022, the executive director of the organization is Cora McGuire-Cyrette.
• March 2023: The organization launched the Educate yourself, Educate Others campaign on February 22, 2023. It provides a human trafficking resource page accessible via QR codes on billboards and transit posters throughout Ontario. The association reported that 426 Indigenous women and girls in the province escaped human trafficking between April 2022 and March 2023.
• May 2023: The organization launched the Medicine Lines of Womanhood exhibition to provide a healing space for those affected by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis. Under the leadership of Cora McGuire-Cyrette, the group facilitated the creation of art pieces through Indigenous healing approaches. The association adapted the project to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic after initial in-person sessions in Thunder Bay, Kenora, and Ottawa.
• February 2024: Betty Kennedy is a former executive director of the organization.
• March 2024: Joshua LeClair has delivered workshops for the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
• April 2024: Marlene Pierre was a founder of this organization along with others. The association works to advance issues important to Indigenous women.
• June 2024: The association is part of a collaborative effort to create a community-driven safety plan in Thunder Bay. The organization aims to change the local narrative by actioning solutions provided by survivors and families of violence.
• November 2024: The organization held its Annual General Meeting in Thunder Bay from September 13-15, 2024. The meeting was attended by Christopher Plain on behalf of the Anishinabek Nation.
• April 2026: Jeannette Corbiere Lavell is a founding member of this organization and has served as its Vice-Chairwoman and President. As of April 2026, the organization recognizes Jeannette Corbiere Lavell as an Honourary Lifetime Board Member.
• May 2026: Representatives from the organization provided training and presentations at an anti-human trafficking event in Thunder Bay. The association conducts research and policy advising regarding the unique experiences of Indigenous people in trafficking situations.