The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the underlying systemic causes of ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The COVID-19 pandemic also created unprecedented challenges for victims and survivors seeking help and the frontline organizations that support them.
Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced nearly $1.7 million for five organizations located in the Prairie provinces:
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc.
- Central Urban Metis Federation (1993) Inc.
- The Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre
- Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society
- Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre
This funding comes after the announcement of the first bilateral agreements between Canada and Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. This funding is aligned with Pillar 4, implementing Indigenous-led approaches, in the National Action Plan.
Increasing the capacity of Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations will enable them to address the root causes of gender-based violence and ensure that Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their communities, can prosper now and in the future.
In November 2022, the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women launched the 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. The Plan is a strategic framework for addressing gender-based violence. It includes five pillars: support for victims, survivors, and their families; prevention; a responsive justice system; implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and social infrastructure and enabling environment.
