Toronto, Saturday, March 8, 2008

I cannot begin to tell you how important it is for me to celebrate International Women’s Day with you.

Women of the First Nations, women of the Métis and Inuit peoples, permit me to call you my sisters.

Because I truly believe that we are all sisters.

From us, as women, spring forth life, the future of humanity, the hope of a better world.

Our destinies, our battles, our dreams, as women, unite us.

Beyond age.

Beyond culture.

Beyond borders.

Everywhere I have been, from coast to coast to coast in Canada, from Africa to Afghanistan to Brazil, I have seen it with my own eyes: the future of our communities depends on the daily efforts of women.

It is widely believed that women around the world do much of the work, yet they receive very few of the resources.

Women are the backbone of our societies. When women are empowered, they can improve the quality of life of their children, their families and their communities.

And I have always felt that our true strength lies in our ability to understand the human side in any situation. Women have an innate ability to bring people together and inspire others to help one another.

This is particularly true of the Aboriginal women I have met across our country.

These women have shared their vision of the world with me.

It has been my privilege to witness the promise in your actions, to hear the insight in your words. You inspire me and fill me with such hope.

I have learned so much from you.

From those women who are rebuilding their lives after years of violence and abuse, I have learned that we should not remain silent or give up. From their everyday lives, I have learned what true courage is.

From those women who heal the wounded soul, who help others and offer what comfort they can, I have learned that it is possible to break the circles of oppression and violence, to transform them into circles of sharing and healing.

From those women who speak out and defend their rights and those of their children and communities, I have learned that we must dare to speak the truth. That we must speak as one if our message is to resonate and reach every corner of the world.

From those women who are working to improve their communities, with commitment and compassion, I have learned that it is necessary to believe in one’s resources, in one’s abilities and dreams. In oneself.

From those women who are leaders, chiefs—increasing in number—business leaders and agency heads, I have learned that we must not fear being in a position of power, so that we may change the world.

From those women who have lived a long and full life, I have learned that it is a responsibility to pass on not only knowledge, language and culture, but also pride, confidence and the strong desire to be true to ourselves.

From those women whose lives are just beginning, I have learned that the experience of our elders is a sign of hope. That we have a duty to instill in the hearts of our daughters—and our sons—the desire to take their rightful place in society, to realize their full potential and to build a world that is more just and more fair.

From all of you, I have learned that we must take hold of our destiny and find our own voice. That it is up to us to create opportunities, not only for ourselves and our daughters, but for all of humanity.

I am moved by your spirit of resistance and your resilience—you, First Nations women, Métis women, Inuit women.

I still have so much to learn from you.

I have come here to continue our dialogue and, above all, to listen to you.

I want you to tell me about yourselves.

About your sense of belonging.

About your beliefs.

About your challenges.

About your dreams.

It is in this spirit that I asked you to bring an object, a symbol, with you today and to tell us how it represents you. I can’t wait to see what you have brought!

My friends, my sisters, our discussions will pave the way to new solidarities, to possibilities we have never dreamed of, to promises for the future.

And now, it is your turn to speak.