Native women's association has new president

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As of July 16, the Native Women's Association of Canada has a new president. Marilyn Buffalo, a member of the Samson Cree Nation of Alberta, was elected to the position at the association's 23rd annual general assembly in Winnipeg.

As president, Buffalo is the official spokesperson for Native women in Canada. She will lobby all levels of government on issues affecting women and youth in international, federal, provincial and Aboriginal forums. The association will also prepare an action plan on issues raised in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report.

"My main task as president will be to connect with Aboriginal women from all sectors; Inuit, Metis, and First Nations," said Buffalo. "I want to encourage networking."

Buffalo expressed concerns about poverty and discrimination.

"Many of the issues we have to deal with are because we are poor and are discriminated against. There's a lot of work that needs to be done in this area by all governments," she said. "The (association) can't fix the problems by themselves, but

we can bring these issues to light."

Another area that Buffalo will be looking into is the problem faced by some of

the people re-instated under Bill C-31.

Another major focus will be on youth, because the Aboriginal population is primarily a young population.

"Seventy-five per cent are 25 years old and under in many of our communities," said Buffalo. "What I want to do is look at what services are already available, and at how we can bridge the gap between youth and Elders."

Buffalo is a strong advocate for human rights. She has a background in community development in communities throughout Alberta.