Hon. Yvonne Boyer: Honourable senators, today I am honoured to be here speaking on Algonquin land, which is unceded.

I am rising to draw attention to and celebrate a group of incredibly brave and dedicated women whom I have had the privilege of working with over the past number of years.

The Survivor’s Circle for Reproductive Justice is a newly incorporated corporation which represents survivors of forced sterilization across Canada. The Survivor’s Circle is led by survivors of forced sterilization and governed by an experienced board of directors of strong Indigenous women leaders, who are matriarchs, mothers and grandmothers.

Over the past three years, the Survivor’s Circle for Reproductive Justice was formed by a collective effort by many, including Elder Mary Lee, Alisa Lombard, Senator Greenwood and I, and over 200 survivors. Quite simply, there has been an overwhelming need to have a strong unified voice speaking on behalf of survivors of this horrific practice. The trauma and pain that come from being forced or coerced into sterilization are so deep and unlike other traumas that the women have felt they needed to be represented by their own voices so they would have a strong hand in healing in the way they have determined works best for them.

We have formed a legal entity, with the survivors leading the way. Beyond advocating for justice for those who have been forcibly sterilized and working to end this practice once and for all in Canada, this newly formed legal entity is looking at ways to engage with Indigenous communities not only in Canada but across the world to see how they can support each other and work towards a better world for all Indigenous people in all corners of this planet we call home. This practice clearly targets Indigenous people worldwide.

Even after the immense trauma the survivors have gone through in their personal lives, these women are committed to making sure not one more sister, mother, auntie or daughter is subjected to forced or coerced sterilization. I am in complete awe of their strength, and I am honoured to continue to work alongside them and support their goals.

This might be the first time you have heard of this group, but I know it will certainly not be the last. These survivors are getting ready to change the world, and I have no doubt they will, for they are the survivors of reproductive justice.

Meegwetch, marsee, thank you.