Welcome to all my sisters!
Our “Decade of Difference for Aboriginal Women” declared in 2005. We have demonstrated our concern for Aboriginal women and walked in every Sister’s in Spirit, participated in the Capital Ex parade and made countless presentations to all levels of government. Although we continue to exist on project funding and corporate sponsorship, I am very excited about the planning underway to develop the Esquao Centre for Aboriginal Women in Edmonton. This last year has been one of consulting with other organizations, potential partners and the development of programs to be offered in the Centre. We are striving to be self-sufficient as an organization and are looking at opportunities for business development which fall within our mandate of promoting Aboriginal women. My dedication to Aboriginal women is unwavering and I’ll continue to guide the Board into the new decade.
As Provincial Vice-President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, my workload has increased but provided the opportunity to be at the table for some critical decisions for the Métis people. The downside of this is not being able to work 24-7 with IAAW.
Becoming a leader for the Métis people has been a lifelong dream of mine, I am sincerely enjoying this new level of leadership, having always been at the “grass roots level” and I’m pleased to say, the Métis Nation President Audrey Poitras has allowed me to continue my role as President of IAAW and thereby shown support for our organization and women.
My heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, members, the sponsors and those wonderful people who support us, provide funding and believe in our organization.
Sincerely,
Muriel Stanley Venne, C.M., B.A. (Hon.)
President & Founder
Speeches
Sisters in Spirit Memorial Peace River June 3,2008
Edmonton Police Commission June 21,2006
