ANWA conference action-packed

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The 19th annual general conference of the Alberta Native Womens Association focussed on "Native Unity," with about 100 provincial delegates gathered at the Continental Inn at Edmonton on June 21, 22 to hear annual reports, hold information workshops and elect a new president of ANWA.

Donna Weaselchild of the Blood Band, now residing at Calgary was chosen

1986 ANWA president over fellow candidate Doris Calliou, of Edmonton.

The delivery of social services in Native communities of Alberta received considerable concern by the delegates to the conference. It was decided that work

would begin with the Mental Health Association toward increasing the delivery of suicide prevention programs and educational and preventive programs on substance abuse, including alcohol and drug abuse.

Increase communications internally between ANWA chapters and with the general public, is another area targeted for ANWA action.

ANWA delegates participated in a workshop on social services, with presentations being made by Garry Benson from the Ministry of the Solicitor general of Canada and Maggie Hodgson of the working group on Native Child Welfare, Native Advisory Committee.

Information on the eligibility and reinstatement procedures for people wishing to apply for reinstatement was presented in a workshop on Bill C-31.

Native Women's Association of Canada, Lynne Chabot, gave an overview of the provisions of Bill C-31 and presented a guide book explaining steps to follow to gain re-instatement.

Presentations by ANWA staff on Bill C-31, Brenda Eastman and Brenda Bylan,

on ANWA information services were heard.

Delegates expressed the need for smaller communities to receive information on the reinstatement process.

ANWA executive indicated that ANWA will hold information workshops on Bill C-32, when requested by either smaller or larger community centres.

Awards recognizing individual Elder and youth accomplishments and contributions made to the Native women cause were given out by all chapters of ANWA, during the conference.

A number of resolutions were passed at the close of the meeting including: establishing a working relationship with the Mental Health Association on domestic violence, rejecting Bill 7, the provincial Women's Secretariat Act, as unacceptable

because it had not real involvement by Alberta women and resolutions toward increasing communications on social services programs, youth opportunities, Treaty status reinstatement and on how to have more involvement by Elders and youth with ANWA.