Ottawa – 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.
Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced over $2.2 million in funding for six organizations located in Ontario:
- Brantford Native Housing
- Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts
- Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Orillia Native Women’s Group
- Tyendinaga Native Women’s Association
Increasing the capacity of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations will enable organizations 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. This is a strategic framework for addressing gender-based violence. The National Action Plan includes five pillars: support for victims, survivors, and their families; prevention; a responsive justice system; implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and social infrastructure and an enabling environment.
“The high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people are alarming. These six organizations across Ontario are doing critical work to prevent and address gender-based violence, and supporting their efforts remains a top priority for the Government of Canada. The funding announced today will help these incredible organizations build their capacity to address the root causes of gender-based violence and continue to build safer communities, both on and off reserves, in Ontario. This Friday, May 5, we mark Red Dress Day, which reminds us to uphold and honour the memory and spirits of all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) as well as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender-diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people.” – Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth