Government of Canada announces funding for three Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations

Press Release

From: Women and Gender Equality Canada

June 27, 2023

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, alongside Anita Vandenbeld, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, and Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, announced over $1.5 million for three organizations located in Ontario:

• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
• Tewegan Housing for Aboriginal Youth
• Tungasuvvingat Inuit

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. 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 an enabling environment.

Quotes

“We know that gender-based violence is a deeply rooted human rights violation that has generational impacts on communities. Through initiatives like this funding, we are committed to supporting Indigenous-led approaches, and creating a safe and empowering environment for all.”

The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“Gender-based violence is a human rights violation. The projects announced today will help prevent violence, as well as supporting survivors, creating a safer Canada for all.”

Anita Vandenbeld, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean

“The critical funding announced today will help these incredible organizations enhance their capacity to provide gender-based violence prevention programming aimed at eliminating violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”

Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre

Quick facts

• This funding is part of the approximately $601.3 million that the Government of Canada committed through Budget 2021 to increase efforts to end gender-based violence.
• This announcement builds on previous Women and Gender Equality Canada funding of over $13 million for more than 100 commemoration projects to help honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
• This funding is a key initiative of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. The funding is also a significant contribution to Implementing Indigenous-led approaches, Pillar 4 of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
• The Federal Pathway to Address Violence Against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People is the Government of Canada’s contribution to the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. It outlines the Government of Canada’s efforts, now and in the future, to end the gender-based violence and systemic racism responsible for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
• Although roughly 5% of the female population in Canada identified as Indigenous, 21% of all gender-related homicides between 2011 and 2021 involved Indigenous women and girls.

Associated links

• Backgrounder – Funding supports three Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to increase their capacity to prevent and address gender-based violence
• National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
• News release – Call for proposals: Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to further address gender-based violence
• Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People

Contacts

Johise Namwira
Press Secretary and Issues Manager
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
873-353-0985
Johise.Namwira@fegc-wage.gc.ca

Media Relations
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-6530
FEGC.Media.WAGE@fegc-wage.gc.ca

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