It was a beautiful start to the summer season as Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) hosted the organization’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament. Once again held at the Caughnawaga Golf Club in Kahnawake, this year’s tournament attracted more than 100 golfers and raised over $15,000, which QNW (www.faq-qnw.org) will use to deliver a number of programs designed to aid Native women across Quebec.

Founded in 1974, QNW represents women from the First Nations in Quebec and Aboriginal women living in urban areas.

QNW is a bilingual organization and a member of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. The group sits at the table of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, on the Board of Directors of the Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec, at the Human Resources Development Commission of Quebec, as well as several other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal commissions and committees.

Michèle Audette, President of QNW, was particularly enthusiastic about what the QNW Annual Golf Tournament means to the organization’s fundraising efforts.

“Without the generosity of the Mohawk community of Kahnawake and the continued participation and encouragement of QNW’s supporters, our organization would not achieve the goals it has set for itself to defend and support Native women on all levels,” said Audette.  “Thank you all for your great generosity!”

QNW’s mission is to support Aboriginal women in their efforts to better their living conditions through the promotion of non-violence, justice, health and equality. QNW’s programs are designed to empower women in their commitment to their communities.

On the political scene, QNW works for the recognition of equal rights for all Aboriginal women in Canada, both legislatively and constitutionally.

This year’s event was co-chaired by Ghyslain Picard, Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, and Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, who has been in involved in a number of initiatives related to First Nations issues since her appointment to the Senate in 1995. Also in attendance was Geoffrey Kelley, Quebec Minister responsible for Native Affairs.

“As a woman in politics, I gave myself the mission to help women reach their just position in our society,” said Hervieux-Payette. “This is a universal principle that must prompt us to act for the benefit of Aboriginal women in Canada. This is the reason why, at the invitation of Ms. Michèle Audette, I enthusiastically accepted to co-chair this tournament.”

“I know how much work the work of QNW and of its employees has a positive impact on the improvement of living conditions of our Aboriginal sisters, particularly through the promotion of non-violence and Native women shelters, justice & public security, health, HIV/AIDS, international and youth programs,” added Picard.

“In fulfilling this crucial mission, QNW contributes not only to improving the quality of life of Aboriginal women, but also to improving the conditions of families and communities. For this, I say thank you.”

Corporate sponsorship also played an important role in the success of this year’s tournament. In addition to the Nation, which again was involved in raising awareness of the tournament, corporate sponsors included:

•    AQASI
•    Bijouterie Linda Richer
•    Bijouterie Robert Richer
•    CGA – Alain Daoust
•    Copiemont
•    FTQ
•    Gagné Letarte, SENCRL, lawyers
•    Groupe Recherche Focus
•    Guy Latouche, urban planner
•    Hotel Delta Montréal
•    Hotel du Fort
•    Hotel Maritime
•    Hyundai Châteauguay
•    K103-FM
•    Lise Cree, painter
•    Maison Missinak
•    Ministère de la famille et des aînés
•    Mohawk Council Kahnawake
•    Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation
•    Rainbow Tobacco
•    Régime Bénéfice Autochtone (RBA)
•    SAA
•    Snackers
•    Sodexo
•    Sports Rousseau
•    TLC Impressions Global
•    Via Rail