Brasilia - Canada supports Indigenous Women's Conference in Brazil

The Canadian Embassy in Brasilia, through Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), sponsored the First National Conference on Indigenous Women on July 12 and 13. The gathering brought together 180 women from 68 different indigenous groups throughout Brazil. The conference was held in preparation for a greater National Conference on Women, which was inaugurated on July 15 by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The purpose of the conference was to bring awareness and to articulate the needs and realities of indigenous women in Brazil. Participating at the conference were the President of the National Indian Foundation (Brazil's equivalent to a Ministry for Indigenous Affairs), the Special Minister for the Status of Women, the Minister for Racial Equity Promotion Policies along with some academics and other embassies' representatives interested in the issues of indigenous women.

Our participation and support were greatly appreciated and noted during the opening of the Conference. The advances made in Canada over the last fifty years in this area were cited, and aboriginal television and indigenous universities were specifically mentioned as examples of Canadian initiatives Brazil can reach for in the future.