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The FNHA directly supports and serves over 200 diverse First Nations communities in British Columbia. As an organization we recognize and uplift the spirit of Indigenous peoples living all over Canada and around the world.

On Tuesday, Aug. 9, the United Nations marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, an event recognizing the achievements and contributions Indigenous people make in improving world issues.

This year, the United Nations is recognizing the vital role of Indigenous women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge. Indigenous women have been backbone of Indigenous communities in numerous ways, serving as leaders and protecting and preserving traditional ancestral knowledge.

This truth is represented in the FNHA’s Sacred and Strong: Upholding our Matriarchal Roles report, a 2021 collaboration with the Office of the Provincial Health Officer which examines the health and wellness journeys of BC First Nations women and girls.

Although the report is dedicated to honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, their families and communities, it also highlights their strengths and resilience and celebrates the many ways they are thriving.

As the United Nations notes, Indigenous women particularly suffer high levels of poverty; low levels of education and illiteracy; and limitations in the access to health, among many other issues. However, significant progress has been made by Indigenous women in achieving leadership in various roles, and have defended their lands and resources.

On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let us all celebrate the incredible strength of Indigenous women worldwide and reclaim their roles as inspirational leaders.

A Chance to Celebrate

If you’re an early riser, you can tune in to a webinar held by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs on Aug. 9, as panelists discuss “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.”

While the event takes place in New York City, you can enjoy it from home with Zoom. It begins at 6 a.m. PST.

Virtual commemoration
August 9, 2022
6-8 a.m. PST
Link to Join: Zoom Meeting