Mr. Speaker, October marks Women's History Month. This year's theme is Aboriginal Women: The Journey Forward.
Bev Jacobs is a Mohawk from Six Nations and a member of the Bear Clan. She is the president of the Native Women's Association of Canada. I have met with Bev regularly since I became an MP and she inspires me with the dedication she brings to the issues affecting aboriginal women.
Today Bev Jacobs led aboriginal women and their supporters in rallies across Canada to remember their 500 missing sisters as part of the Sisters in Spirit campaign to document violence against aboriginal women.
Bev Jacobs has also been a leading voice in denouncing Canada for its poor record on the rights of aboriginal women.
This week she hosted the UN special rapporteur on human rights, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, who disapproves of Canada's plan to derail the adoption of the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.
I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Bev Jacobs and the journey forward for aboriginal women in this country.