Beverly K. Jacobs (Gowehgyuseh), Mohawk, 1962
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She is the current President of the Native Women’s
Association of Canada. She was born into the Bear Clan of the
Mohawk Nation on the territory of the Six Nations of the Grand
River in Southern Ontario. Her traditional name, Gowehgyuseh means
“She’s visiting.” Jacobs is a lawyer by profession
and holds a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Windsor
and a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Saskatchewan.
She has taught at the University of Windsor, the University of
Toronto, the University of Saskatchewan and Ryerson University
and began her career as an entrepreneur and consultant with her
own firm, Bear Clan Consulting where she dealt with issues such
as Bill C-31, Residential Schools, Matrimonial Real Property,
and Aboriginal Women’s health issues .Jacobs' work on Missing
and Murdered Aboriginal women was inspired by her work with Amnesty
International as the Lead Researcher and consultant for their
Stolen Sisters Report. This 2004 groundbreaking document highlighted
racialized and sexualized violence against Aboriginal women in
Canada. Her work with Amnesty International led her to run for
President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)
in 2004. There she successfully secured funding for Sisters In
Spirit, a research, education and policy initiative aimed at raising
public awareness about Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal
women. In her role as NWAC President she has traveled extensively
to raise awareness, rally citizens and inspire young Aboriginal
women. Jacobs was re-elected for a second term as President of
NWAC in 2006; in the same year she was appointed Chair of the
National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR), which
advises the Minister of Environment and makes recommendations
to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. In October
2008, Jacobs was honoured by Canadian Voice of Women for Peace,
Canadian Department of Peace Initiative, and Civilian Peace Service
Canada as one of 50 Canadian women whose work and dedication has
helped to further a culture of peace in Canada. In November 2008,
she was the recipient of the Governor General’s Award in
commemoration of the Persons Case, which salutes Canadian contributions
to the advancement of women’s equality.Also in 2008, Jacobs
accepted the Nation's Official Apology for Residential Schooling,
delivering a powerful and moving speech on behalf of NWAC. She
is the mother of Ashley and Lukas and grandmother of Nicholas
and Tessa.
