The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is celebrating it’s 50 year anniversary this month as the province's leading voice in female empowerment and representation in Indigenous communities.

The organization was established in 1971 to help set up programs and services for Indigenous women and their families, regardless of status or location.

At its inception, ONWA was created “against a backdrop of violence, poverty, injustice, and systemic racism, Indigenous women needed their
voices, their wisdom, and knowledge to be heard," according to its website.

The organziation continues to help Indigenous women have a wider voice and participation in continued efforts to build community and preserve language, heritage and identity.

To celebrate the anniversary, the organziation held a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. with a speech from its president Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard, and the publication of the fifth edition of ONWA’s magazine, SHE Is Wise.

Havard highlighted the women that stood up for a greater female voice in Inidegenous affairs in the '70s, and finding unity among different nations, statuses, reserves and cities through initiatives and increased dialogue on issues.

The event was celebrated with a range of other speakers from ONWA and performances from all-female drum circles, who also cited the need for empowerment among females in Indigenous communities.

The magazine cover was made specifically for the 50th anniversary and features notable figures today including former member of parliament Jody Wilson-Raybould and Ryerson University politics and governance professor, Dr. Pamela Palmater.

Listen to Dr.Harvard's key note speech here: