At ONWA's 55 AGA & Leadership Conference
Updated: 12 minutes ago
ONWA 55th Annual General Assembly (AGA) & Leadership Conference is taking place September 11-13, 2026, at the Best Western Plus Nor’wester Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.
Highlights
Here are some highlights from our time there (click to jump to section):
About
Every year, ONWA Membership gathers from across Ontario to highlight and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and plan for the coming year. The AGA & Leadership Conference provides a platform for membership to engage in discussions on Indigenous women’s current priorities, wise practices, and opportunities for change.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Building Our Bundles”. As Indigenous women, we carry bundles grown throughout our life's journey and full of teachings, relationships, and knowledge. Together, we build our bundles by sharing our wisdom, reclaiming our leadership, and honouring the responsibilities we hold to ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nations.
Day 1: Annual General Assembly (AGA)
Friday, September 11, 2026
Countdown to ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference!
We’re setting up the space and preparing to welcome ONWA members from across the province for a weekend of learning, connecting, and celebrating Indigenous women’s leadership.
Who’s excited for this weekend of learning, connecting, and celebrating Indigenous women’s leadership?
ONWA members from across the province are gathering for ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference in Thunder Bay! 💜✨
“ONWA is strong because of its members. ONWA is strong because Indigenous women continue to show up, speak up, care for one another, and take up our responsibilities.” -Melinda Commanda, President
At ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference we’re opening with gratitude by honouring ONWA’s Bundle and the teachings it carries. We’ve come together from across Ontario to build connection, learning, and leadership.
Thank you to everyone helping us begin this gathering in a good way. ✨
ONWA members are sharing teachings and working together to strengthen ONWA’s Bundle regionally and provincially. Each voice adds to the Bundle. Each region brings its strength. Together, we carry it forward. ✨
🔥 Starting strong with inspiring words highlighting how we build a stronger ONWA together through collective knowledge, experiences, and connections.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am very proud of all the work that was accomplished over the past year. I am filled with gratitude for the strength, wisdom, and leadership from my fellow Board Members that continue to guide ONWA and the incredible progress we continue to make on our goals set out in our 10-year Strategic Picture." - Melinda Commanda, President
"We asked 'How can we do things in a different way?' …we looked inside and asked what we could do. It is women not taking no for an answer. It is women saying we are just going to do this work anyways." - Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO
Want to read our 2025-2026 Annual Report? It is avaliable now our Reports page.
Today, our members are engaged in important conversations, collaborating to set priorities and find solutions. Witnessing our collective growth and impact is incredibly motivating. 📈
"The best time of my life was finding ONWA." - Tana Troniak
We are proud to honour and thank the outgoing, current and new Board of Directors for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to our organization. Your time, expertise, and thoughtful guidance help shape our work and strengthen our community. 👏
Day 2: Leadership Conference (part 1)
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Rise and shine, it’s Day 2 of ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference in Thunder Bay! 💜✨
Explore highlights of the conference so far as we begin another day of learning and connecting with Membership from across the province!
Thank you to Grandmother Gwen Prevost and ONWA Vice President-Youth Director Sophia Carnovale for sharing your welcoming words and wisdom at ONWA’s 554th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference. Your leadership continues to inspire and uplift. 💜
Indigenous women’s stories hold knowledge, strength, and truth. At ONWA’s 55th AGA and Leadership Conference, we’re listening, learning, and moving those stories into meaningful advocacy and action. Together, we turn our voices into change. ✨
"We all have our own story, we've all walked our own journey. What we do with that story is our own choice - we have the opportunity to turn that story into powerful change." - Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO
"A lot of times youth are seen as token, a box that we need to check off. The meaningfulness is often missing. That is not the experience at ONWA though." - Alysha Wesley, Youth Director, Board of Directors
"Today is about celebrating Indigenous women's leadership and honouring our responsibilities to lead change and restore much needed balance in the world." - Roberta Wesley, Board of Directors
We asked membership "What advice do you have for youth leaders as they take up their role in advocacy?" This is some of what they shared:
"Always stand your ground, don’t give up your space to anyone, ever."
"Advocacy can be difficult so protect your spirit but never let anyone convince you that your voice is too small to create change. Never underestimate the power of your voice."
"Believe in yourself, your are not alone, Creator speaks through you."
"Always look up river and don't let anybody steal your joy."
Indigenous youth and leaders are coming together to share reflections, knowledge, and experiences on turning global commitments into meaningful local action. From conversation to action, we’re building pathways for change together. ✨
Melinda Commanda, President
"There is this common bond between Indigenous women who have faced resistance and advocated for change in their communities. We have allies out there and the only way to find them is to be in those spaces."
"We need to advocate to bodies that are making decisions on Indigenous women. Without that, we won't move as forward as we would like."
Stephanie Mikki Adams, Secretary-Board Director
"Safety and dignity of Indigenous women are not only domestic matters, they are fundamental human rights. Our participation ensures our experiences are not reduced to statistics."
"We have knowledge, leadership and solutions that the world needs to hear. Silence guarantees that nothing will change."
Sophia Carnovale, Vice President-Youth Director
"Borders do not limit the extent of our experiences. Many of the issues we are advocating about at home are also connected to broader issues facing Indigenous people across Canada and the world."
"There is a generation of young people who are advocating, learning, and organizing for their communities. We are the leaders of today. We're here, we've been here, we're already doing this work. We are building relationships and moving Indigenous rights forward."
ONWA’s Youth Council Board Members was excited to lead the 13 Grandmother Moon Fashion Show as part of this year’s AGA and Leadership Conference! 🌙💜
Thank you to all the crafters, models, and people who helped make this happen.
Spirit Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Madison Wigwas
Bear Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Katherine Graham
Snow Crust Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Kylie Cornell
Sugarbush Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Taya Kirk
Flowering Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Teanna Mcleod
Strawberry Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Heather Talbot
Berry Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Natalie Larocque
Ricing Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Ricki Lea Ferrigan
Leaves Turning Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Rachel Seguin
Falling Leaves Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Kyra Hagerty
Freezing Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Jessica Ghosen
Little Spirit Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Sophia Carnovale
Great Spirit Moon Ribbon Skirt modeled by Alysha Wesley
🌿From strengthening governance and sharing promising practices to addressing MMIWG2S+ and lateral violence – ONWA membership are coming together to learn, build capacity, and strengthen their communities during the workshops at ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference. 💜
🧡 Honouring those who lead with heart, purpose, and passion with ONWA 2026 Recognition Awards! Thank you for the work you do, the change you create, and the legacy you’re building.
Huge congratulations to Tekasnuhsiyosta Lynessa Cornelius, Saila Ipirq-Procyk, Roberta Keesick, and Jenny Sawanohk, Mihko-Asiniy-Kinepik-Iswew!
Thank you to the Métis Jiggers - Natalie, Andrew, and Rebecca - and rapper Shibastik for your performances at the Awards Gala.
Day 3: Leadership Conference (part 2)
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Can’t believe it’s already the last day of ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference in Thunder Bay! We are grateful for every connection, every story, and every moment shared. 💜✨
🎶 We’re honoured to experience the hypnotic sounds of the Arctic gifted to us by the dynamic Inuit Throatsingers duo: Heidi Metcalfe & Keely Nicholson!
Traditionally performed as a game between two women, Throatsinging is built on rhythm, connection, and playful competition—often ending in laughter. 💜✨
"Poetry is where I go to heal... Every time I write, I reclaim a piece of myself.” - Stephanie Mikki Adams
Chi-miigwetch to Stephanie Mikki Adams for your presence, your truth, and the incredible gift of creativity you bring. We’re grateful for the readings from your book, 'In the Silence I Found Myself'.
✨ Our Sacred Bundles carry teachings, strength, guidance, and healing.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Healing Medicine Turtle Workshop at ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference. Through culture and traditional teachings, we gather strength, nurture one another, and continue on our healing journeys. 💜🐢
Learn how to make your own Healing Wellness Turtle:
💜 Miigwetch to everyone who came together for ONWA’s 55th Annual General Assembly and Leadership Conference in Thunder Bay.
From shared teachings and stories to connection, celebration, and collective action, your presence helped make this gathering truly meaningful. We leave with full bundles, strengthened relationships, and teachings to carry forward. ✨
See you later!
