NORTHERN WOMEN’S GATHERING BEGINS TODAY

The province is hosting a Northern Women's Gathering in Prince Albert today, aimed at building the leadership capacity of Aboriginal women in Saskatchewan's northern communities.

"Saskatchewan is on a roll and our government wants to ensure that we sustain our economic momentum and that all people in the province benefit from a secure and prosperous future," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "The Northern Women's Gathering is an opportunity for government to work directly with northern women and look at ways to improve quality of life for women and their communities."

The gathering is intended to foster actions that increase northern women's security, safety and independence. It also promotes and supports Aboriginal women's leadership, and helps define a new role for government as a partner with Aboriginal women to champion healthy northern communities. Women in leadership roles in northern communities, as well as stakeholders from community-based organizations working in the north, will participate in the gathering.

The event builds directly on recommendations from the 2006 National Policy Forum on Aboriginal Women and Violence and the 2007 National Aboriginal Women's Summit.

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For more information, contact:

Donna-Rae Crooks
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716
Email: dcrooks@lab.gov.sk.ca