According to a news release, government ministers from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon met in Whitehorse to continue discussions about “working together on shared priorities” for gender equity, as well as addressing issues faced by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ (MMIWG2S+) and 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples.
The meeting brought together Jeanie McLean, Yukon’s minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate; Lucy Kuptana, N.W.T.’s minister responsible for the status of women; and Margaret Nakashuk, Nunavut’s minister responsible for the status of women.
A government spokesperson confirmed the meeting took place over Aug. 12 and 13.
McLean, Kuptana and Nakashuk had already connected in July at a meeting of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women, where they “committed to working together on shared priorities” between their respective territories.
Day one of this latest meeting focused on discussions about gender-based violence, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and making programs for Indigenous females and gender-diverse people more accessible.
The ministers also attended the “historic” signing of the Yukon-Alaska Memorandum of Understanding — a cross-border agreement on addressing gender-based violence in northern communities.
Day two involved the three ministers meeting virtually with federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, as well as touring Yukon’s Family Preservation Wellness Centre, a First Nations-led shelter for women and children.
Over the two days, the three ministers shared thoughts around what was working in the territories and discussed challenges faced by residents living in remote communities.
Talks also included discussions on the need to access federal funding — including financial support from the remaining five years of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, a 10-year initiative where provinces and territories collaborate with Ottawa to fight gender-based violence.
Yukon’s McLean called the two-day meeting “a powerful reminder of why this work matters … to northerners.”
“I sat with women who are leading change in their communities with incredible strength, care and vision,” said McLean in a statement. “Northern communities face unique challenges and we know that our voices are stronger when we speak together. During our meetings, we did just that — coming together to advocate for what our people need.”
The N.W.T.’s Kuptana echoed McLean’s sentiments.
“In the North, progress on gender equity, safety and healing begins with listening to our communities and honouring cultural foundations,” said Kuptana. “By working together, we are forging pathways to address gender-based violence, advance the MMIWG2S+ strategies and ensure that the unique challenges faced by women and gender-diverse individuals in remote northern regions are heard and prioritized.”
Nunavut’s Nakashuk said remote communities in her territory “face heightened needs and significant capacity challenges.”
“Continued, reliable funding is essential to build local expertise, strengthen service delivery and ensure that our interventions and action plans are grounded in values and ways of life that have sustained communities here for generations,” said Nakashuk. “This includes a deep respect for Inuit societal values and ways of life, which are not only foundational to our communities but vital to preserving cultural continuity across generations. This is how we ensure the care and safety of Nunavut’s most vulnerable individuals and families.”
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