Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI (AWAPEI)
is a non-profit, representative
organization, administered by a voluntary
Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
is a non-profit, representative
organization, administered by a voluntary
Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
FROM THE BEGINNING... HISTORY OF AWAPEI
"LIFEGIVERS IN THE COMMUNITY"
"LIFEGIVERS IN THE COMMUNITY"
AWAPEI represent the interest and concerns
of all indigenous women at all levels.
We support
women and girls who identify as
First Nation, Metis and Inuit residing on PEI.
of all indigenous women at all levels.
We support
women and girls who identify as
First Nation, Metis and Inuit residing on PEI.
AN OVERVIEW FROM OUR
FORMER PRESIDENT: JUDY CLARK
FORMER PRESIDENT: JUDY CLARK
OUR BOARD
"We are committed to providing
leadership and guidance in cultural,
social, economic and political aspects."
leadership and guidance in cultural,
social, economic and political aspects."
WELCOMING OUR AWAPEI BOARD 2022-2024: FRONT ROW: President Matilda Rammjattan, Elder Thirly Levi, Alternate Elder: Margie Paul, Vice-President Kristen Lewis.
BACK ROW: Secretary Emily M Bernard, West Reps Gernaldine DiJulio & Sheila Mitchell, Youth Amber Thomas, Alternate Youth Aaliyah Lewis. East Reps Sarah Jackson & Emily Jane Bernard, Treasurer Paige Bernard
“Stronger Women Create
Stronger Communities”
Stronger Communities”
The Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI (AWAPEI) was first established in 1985 on the Mi’kmaq Territory of Eastern Canada. Our head office is located on the First Nation of Lennox Island on a small island that connects us by a causeway/bridge to Prince Edward Island.
Our roots as an association had started well before we established our association. From the very beginning, our women were always the care givers of our community, from raising our children to directing our community involvement. Our women have gathered around kitchen tables for planning births, arranging celebration with community events, baptisms, marriages, supporting each other to arranging burials. This was the basis on how AWAPEI had originated.
To this day, we still uphold these same values and follow strong with our vision, mission and purpose. Along the way, AWAPEI adapted in believing our moto “Stronger women create stronger communities” with a goal to enhance, support and promote the well being of aboriginal women through capacity building, focus groups, prevention, awareness and equal opportunities.
OUR VISION: The vision of AWAPEI is to empower (promote) holistic healing and maintenance of health and well-being of Aboriginal women.
OUR MISSION: To represent the interest and concerns of all women at all levels, to support women & girls who identify as First Nation, Metis and Inuit residing in PEI. We are committed to providing leadership and guidance in culture, social and political aspects.
OUR PURPOSE
1) To bring together Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island and to better equip them to maintain their cultural heritage in the family and the community by way of arts and crafts, folklore, culture tradition and all other aspects of Aboriginal heritage.
2) To promote a more positive self-image among Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island.
3) To assist and encourage all Aboriginal women to contribute ideas and skills to the social, cultural and economic development of the Aboriginal Society.
4) To encourage Aboriginal women to assume a more positive and active role in assisting their people in Prince Edward Island.
5) To work toward a solution of Aboriginal women's problems and to promote the interests of Aboriginal people in Prince Edward Island.
6) To work with all levels of government, public and private agencies and private industry to improve social, educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island.
7) To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, bequest, devise or otherwise, real, and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objective
The Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI (AWAPEI) was first established in 1985 on the Mi’kmaq Territory of Eastern Canada. Our head office is located on the First Nation of Lennox Island on a small island that connects us by a causeway/bridge to Prince Edward Island.
OUR HISTORY
Historically, AWAPEI has proven that acknowledging our women’s health and wellness, create a sense of healing. We recognize that Indigenous women play a significant role as agents of positive and sustainable change, for our communities. It is fundamental that when we support their personal leadership development, we are supporting community development.
Our roots as an association had started well before we established our association. From the very beginning, our women were always the care givers of our community, from raising our children to directing our community involvement. Our women have gathered around kitchen tables for planning births, arranging celebration with community events, baptisms, marriages, supporting each other to arranging burials. This was the basis on how AWAPEI had originated.
To this day, we still uphold these same values and follow strong with our vision, mission and purpose. Along the way, AWAPEI adapted in believing our moto “Stronger women create stronger communities” with a goal to enhance, support and promote the well being of aboriginal women through capacity building, focus groups, prevention, awareness and equal opportunities.
OUR VISION: The vision of AWAPEI is to empower (promote) holistic healing and maintenance of health and well-being of Aboriginal women.
OUR MISSION: To represent the interest and concerns of all women at all levels, to support women & girls who identify as First Nation, Metis and Inuit residing in PEI. We are committed to providing leadership and guidance in culture, social and political aspects.
OUR PURPOSE
1) To bring together Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island and to better equip them to maintain their cultural heritage in the family and the community by way of arts and crafts, folklore, culture tradition and all other aspects of Aboriginal heritage.
2) To promote a more positive self-image among Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island.
3) To assist and encourage all Aboriginal women to contribute ideas and skills to the social, cultural and economic development of the Aboriginal Society.
4) To encourage Aboriginal women to assume a more positive and active role in assisting their people in Prince Edward Island.
5) To work toward a solution of Aboriginal women's problems and to promote the interests of Aboriginal people in Prince Edward Island.
6) To work with all levels of government, public and private agencies and private industry to improve social, educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island.
7) To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, bequest, devise or otherwise, real, and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objective
The Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI (AWAPEI) was first established in 1985 on the Mi’kmaq Territory of Eastern Canada. Our head office is located on the First Nation of Lennox Island on a small island that connects us by a causeway/bridge to Prince Edward Island.
OUR HISTORY
Historically, AWAPEI has proven that acknowledging our women’s health and wellness, create a sense of healing. We recognize that Indigenous women play a significant role as agents of positive and sustainable change, for our communities. It is fundamental that when we support their personal leadership development, we are supporting community development.
- In 1985 all of this had led to an evolution of a new organization, “The Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island Inc”.
- Despite historical and ongoing colonial and patriarchal attempts to control or eliminate women’s leadership it has become very clear how important it is to enhance and to educate Aboriginal Women in terms of; health, wellness, healing and voilence prevention.
- Therefore, in 1975 they formed the “Native Women’s Association of PEI” acknowledging a common priority across the Province was and is the health and well- being of all aboriginal women in PEI.
- Throughout the 20th century PEI has also become the home to First Nations, Inuit and Metis. Due to historical traumatic events of the Indian Residential and Day School and the effects of the Indian Act, the Aboriginal women of Prince Edward Island were concerned about issues in relation to their status and the status of their children.
- Prince Edward Island is home to a rich legacy of Mi’kmaq culture and traditions with archaeological evidence dating back as far as 10,000 years.
FROM OUR PHOTO ALBUM