Government of Canada announces funding for five organizations supporting Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

GATINEAU, QC, July 28, 2023 /CNW/ - 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.

"We cannot end gender-based violence unless Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are safe. I'm happy to support the life-saving work of these five organizations, this funding will help build capacity to prevent gender-based violence, address its root causes, and continue to build safer communities in the Prairies."

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

• 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 GBV 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.

• Backgrounder ? Funding supports five Indigenous women and girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations 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

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