Mr. Speaker, last week in Winnipeg my colleague Mr. Hawkins and I attended the third National Aboriginal Women’s Summit, or NAWS III. The summit was established to further coordinate efforts underway nationally and in several jurisdictions, aimed at addressing violence against Aboriginal women and girls in particular, to end the national tragedy of murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls. Members of this House will recall that in 2008, the NAWS II was held in the Northwest Territories and built upon the recommendations of the NAWS I in areas such as health, safety, wellness, equality and empowerment.

The two-day summit opened with a community gathering and family-honouring ceremony. I was able to participate directly in the ceremony and I hope the families found some comfort and healing. Our thoughts and prayers will remain with them and all families that are missing loved ones.

The second day of the summit included a roundtable discussion of provincial and territorial representatives and national Aboriginal leaders. I was pleased to be able to have productive discussions with the Northwest Territories Native Women’s Association while I was at the summit, and look forward to our continued partnership with the Native Women’s Association and the Status of Women Council.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6) so that all Ministers’ statements filed with the Clerk can be delivered today.

---Unanimous consent granted