TREATY 1 TERRITORY, WINNIPEG, MB – On April 11, 2019, Indigenous women from northern Manitoba and northeastern BC will be hosting a panel discussion on the harmful social impacts of large-scale resource development on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.
The public event is being held on the eve of a special hearing being conducted by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. The one-day hearing in Winnipeg has been organized as part of the Committee’s study of Bill C-69, proposed federal impact assessment legislation for resource development projects. Amnesty International will be testifying before the Committee.
Troubling reports of gender-based violence in communities surrounding resource development projects in northern Manitoba and northeastern BC highlight why it is important to consider the experiences of Indigenous women and girls when planning large-scale resource development projects like hydroelectric dams.
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2019
Location: Ukrainian Labour Temple, 591 Pritchard Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba
What:
3:30-4:15pm: Media briefing
4:30-6:30pm: Public panel discussion about the harmful impacts of resource development in Manitoba and BC on Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. Media are welcome to attend the panel discussion.
Who:
CONNIE GREYEYES is a community advocate from Fort St. John, BC. She co-founded her community’s Sisters in Spirit vigil, started a support group for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and was a critical part of Amnesty International’s Out of Sight, Out of Mind research on gender, Indigenous rights, and energy development in northeast BC.
MARTINA SAUNDERS is the former vice-president of the Keeyask Hydro Power Limited Partnership Board of Directors and a grassroots advocate from York Factory First Nation, supporting the community’s call for a public inquiry into the impacts of hydro development on Indigenous women and girls in northern Manitoba. Martina is also a student of Urban and Inner City Studies at the University of Winnipeg.
LOUISA CONSTANT is the former Chief of York Factory First Nation (YFFN) and now works as an Advisor to YFFN. Currently, Louisa is the York Factory First Nation representative on the Keeyask Hydro Limited Partnership Board.
HILDA ANDERSON-PYRZ is the Manager of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison Unit with the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc and co-chair of the Manitoba MMIWG Coalition.
To arrange an interview, please contact: Lucy Scholey, Amnesty International Canada (English), 613-744-7667, ext. 236, lscholey@amnesty.ca
