Liard Aboriginal Women's Society

We are a strong, proud, free and equitable Nation where members thrive, and participate actively in community life and governance. We are connected to our culture, our traditions, language, and land and to the knowledge of our Elders. Our Youth are our activists and our leaders. Our members work together to sustain supportive kinship, family and community bonds in a safe and secure environment, and we have all of the resources needed for the healing and development of our people. We are an established organization with strong and diverse leadership and staff. Sustainable funding and strong partnerships support our purpose and mandate as we lead the way for other organizations and levels of government.

The Liard Aboriginal Women's Society (LAWS), established in 1998, is a non-profit, charitable, community-based Indigenous organization rooted in the Kaska Nation. Originating from a grassroots circle of Kaska women in Watson Lake, Yukon, LAWS has evolved to address a broad spectrum of community needs through advocacy, healing, social justice, and cultural preservation. The society is governed by a Board of Directors comprising six women of Kaska Dene descent, reflecting a diversity of age, experience, traditional knowledge, professions, and communities. Their role is to uphold the constitution of LAWS in its efforts to provide cultural, personal, and community healing support; to preserve and protect the Kaska Dene culture, traditions, and customs; and to pursue the empowerment of Kaska women.

LAWS offers a range of programs and initiatives designed to address issues such as gender-based violence, youth empowerment, and the impacts of residential schools. Notable projects include "Youth for Dignity in Relationships," which engages youth in understanding and preventing gender-based violence, and "Advocate Training," which equips survivors of violence to become community leaders. The society also addresses broader social issues, such as the impacts of mining on Indigenous women, through research and advocacy. LAWS' commitment to cultural preservation is evident in its emphasis on Kaska traditions, language, and land, ensuring that cultural practices inform all aspects of their work.