THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) are pleased to welcome Erin Corston in her new position as the Executive Director of ONWA.
Originally from Chapleau Cree First Nation, located in Treaty 9 Territory, Erin comes to ONWA with a great deal of experience and knowledge regarding the issues that affect Aboriginal women and their families. She is a graduate of Ryerson University with a background in the environment and public health and has previously worked with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).
“We’re very excited to have Erin join us as the new Executive Director of ONWA,” says Dr. Dawn Harvard, President, ONWA Board of Directors. “Erin has displayed a great deal of dedication towards Aboriginal specific issues with a special emphasis on gender equality rights, making her a perfect fit for our organization. A motivated leader with a proven track record for building and leading successful policy and research initiatives to create capacity, educate, and leverage support; Erin’s expertise will surely benefit Aboriginal women and their families in Ontario.”
“I am honoured to have been selected as the new Executive Director of the Ontario Native Women’s Association,” says Corston. “Having previously worked with NWAC, I am familiar with, and inspired by, the great work that ONWA does for Aboriginal women. In my new position, I hope to use my knowledge of culturally relevant, gender based analysys to furthur contextualize the complex array of issues that perpetuate the disproportionate health and socio-economic outcomes among Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. Together, we will continue to improve the lives of Aboriginal women and their families in Ontario by expanding ONWA’s network of allies and partners and strengthening the role of Aboriginal women in decision-making at all levels.”
Corston succeeds Betty Kennedy who accepted a lateral transfer to lead the newly established Ontario Native Women’s Charitable Foundation.
