March 8, 2006
IIG-All Nations Institute Project in Support of Aboriginal Women
MLA Statement

Burnaby is home to an increasing number of excellent education facilities. Recently, students in Montecito Elementary School topped the B.C. Foundations Skills Assessment, and students of Burnaby North Secondary School performed the best in the Advanced Placement programs in North America.

Simon Fraser University and BCIT continue to expand their skill training programs, research, as well as physical facilities. Last week I attended the launch of the BCIT aerospace technology campus project and the grand opening of the Institute of Indigenous Government-All Nations Institute with many of my colleagues. IIG-All Nations Institute provides a first- and second-year university program, with a focus to aboriginal students.

I had the opportunity to talk to Gloria Larocque, a student in the criminology program. She has been working on a special project to raise awareness regarding the missing and murdered aboriginal women. Her studies and personal experience led her to voice concerns about the treatment of aboriginal women in Canadian society generally. She is currently organizing a conference known as The Gathering to be held on the 2006 spring equinox. The Gathering is intended to remove any stigma these women face in choosing their fates, promoting a more humanized, generalized societal view toward aboriginal women. This day would be known as indigenous women's empowerment day.

On this International Women's Day, I would like to commend the women for their contribution to our education system and to pay tribute to the aboriginal women for their efforts to remove stigmas in our society.