Liard Aboriginal Women's Society
The Liard Aboriginal Women's Society is a non-profit, charitable and community-based Indigenous organization that provides social-development services to the Kaska Nation in Yukon and northern British Columbia-the Kaska Homelands.
Our project-Remembering and Celebrating the Lives of MMIWG2S+ peoples-will rematriate traditional practices by commemorating and celebrating the lives of our loved ones through potlatches and memorial feasts. Traditionally, memorial potlatches are held one year after a person passes away and often symbolize the end of the mourning period for the family. Feasting is an important part of this ceremony, as it brings together people who are in mourning, including those from surrounding communities. These ceremonies bring balance and harmony to the community, allowing everyone to move forward and heal over time.
Our program ensures that families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Watson Lake, Lower Post, Ross River and Good Hope Lake can experience this important part of our cultural healing processes that they were denied in the past because of the number of unresolved cases, family members who are still missing, a lack of investigation into murders and disappearances, or a late or lack of notification on the death of a loved one.
We will work directly with more than 20 Kaska families to plan, organize, coordinate and deliver the memorial feasts, as well as design and create headstones for their loved ones. This will allow families to come together as a community to honour the memory of their loved ones.
All Nations Hope Network
Healing and Strengthening Indigenous Sisters and Two Spirits
The All Nations Hope Network provides cultural and counselling support to the urban Indigenous population in Regina and throughout Saskatchewan, supported by community and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.
The Healing and Strengthening Indigenous Sisters and Two Spirits program will provide one-on-one counselling from professionals and group-healing circles led by counsellors, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Weavers. The unique challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community will also be addressed through specific work coordinated by a Two-Spirit person.
The Two-Spirit-focused activities will include healing circles, counselling, Two-Spirit gatherings and workshops focused on specific needs.
We will also plan and hold annual vigils to commemorate the losses and provide support to those who are grieving their loved ones (vigils are located physically in Regina, but there is an option to watch virtually).
Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Najakulugiit (Beautiful Sisters) Project
Tungasuvvingat Inuit, also known as "TI," means, "a place where Inuit are welcome." On March 10, 2022, Tungasuvvingat Inuit celebrated its 35th anniversary, and we continue to provide Inuit-specific programs, advocacy and support that contribute to the health and well-being of Inuit and encourage and support similar programs for Inuit across Ontario and southern Canada. TI has been―and will remain―committed to advocating for and providing support services to urban Inuit women, girls and the Two-Spirit community to ensure representation and support for urban Inuit families. Part of that commitment is participating in the urban Inuit sub-working group, the Inuit sub-working group, and the Urban Indigenous sub-working group, as well as by providing input to the Ontario chapter of the MMIWG2S National Action Plan. We are also dedicated to our daily work with the Alluriarniq Program (Stepping Forward) in Ottawa, which works with individuals aged 13 and older who are at risk of or are currently engaged in sexual exploitation or who are victims of human trafficking.
Our vision is to support and honour the requests of the community by making programming and services available to families affected by the tragedy of MMIWG2S. This includes grassroots, community-led initiatives that allow for ongoing healing, representation and support. Following a community consultation session, the participants expressed a desire to continue virtual bi-weekly group meetings to offer social support, engage in cultural activities, share knowledge and skills, speak in Inuktitut, meet with Elders, and receive teachings. The group also wants to organize community gatherings that could explore traditional healing methods, Inuit women's empowerment as a means of preventing violence and more. The group is called Najakulugiit, which means "Beautiful sisters" in Inuktitut.
TI is committed to the objectives that align with the actions identified in the MMIWG2S National Action Plan. Remaining vigilant will allow us to effectively offer and develop programming and services that align with the Calls to Action.
The priorities identified by Survivors and family members are very specific and include
- addressing the loss of culture and language
- addressing loneliness and building social supports
- addressing isolation for Inuit living outside of Ottawa
- increasing awareness of our services
- increasing the number of community gatherings.
Métis Nation Ontario
MNO Healing Journey Program
In 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was established by Métis people and communities that came together throughout Ontario to create a Métis-specific, democratic, province-wide governance structure. The MNO represents and advocates on behalf of its citizens, who are rights-bearing members of Métis communities that collectively hold rights, interests and outstanding claims protected by sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
The MNO Healing Journey Program will ensure that Métis women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, families and Métis communities receive specialized support and have access to appropriate cultural and community resources, including trauma-informed mental health professionals who specialize in working with Métis families and victims of violence targeting MMIWG2S individuals.
