Indigenous People. Representational image by Ian Macharia on unsplash
Winnipeg/CMEDIA: A new $20 million provincial strategy has been launched by the Manitoba government to empower Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity has announced.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and protected…be able to move…into a future where they can thrive. The Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy…is the embodiment of our government’s commitment to prioritizing their safety, protection and empowerment,” Fontaine has said.
A four-year,10-pillar strategy, Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag takes a whole-of-government approach to address the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+).
With a focus on short-term actions leading to long-term solutions, the pillars centre on access to culture, economic development, education, food security, health services, healthy communities, housing, justice and safety, transportation, and matriarchal leadership.
The name Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag meaning ‘all women doing well’ in Anishinaabemowin was gifted by respected Anishinaabe Elder and Language Keeper Katie Whitford from Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation reflecting the development of the strategy with women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse citizens of all ethnicities and backgrounds in mind, the minister said.
The minister noted the Matriarch Circle, a diverse group of accomplished Afro-Indigenous, Anishinaabe, Anishininew, Nehethowuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Inuit and Métis women, youth and gender-diverse relatives, was integral to the development of Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag.
“When women are trapped on a dangerous path without supports to create a different way forward, we know where that path leads,” said Megan McKenzie, lead researcher, Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation’s Action Research on Chronic Homelessness. “When we draw on ideas and knowledge from women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people supported by a strategy like Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag we can ensure people are able to travel safely on a good path.”
Included in this $20 million strategy is a $15-million endowment fund to support MMIWG2S+ families and $2.2 million in empowerment as well as prevention grants for programs and services for Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives. Other initiatives include:
- $750,000 for All Nations Co-ordinated Response Network’s Safe Ride program, which helps the safe return of absent youth in care;
- $160,000 for the Fisher River Cree First Nation healing space at the corner of Osborne Street and Morley Avenue in Winnipeg to support urban Indigenous relatives including housing and wraparound services;
- $60,000 for Norway House Cree Nation to host an annual Healing and Family Gathering to bring together families impacted by the loss loved ones to share with others the healing experience; and more.
Manitoba continues to have, noted the minister some of the highest rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives in Canada.
With Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag’s goal of ensuring Manitoba to be a place where Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives can thrive with their dreams becoming a reality, the minister said, and calls for immediate action, consistent efforts, adequate resources and political will to create lasting change.
Responding to the strategy to Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls also includes 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians aimed at ending violence against Indigenous women and girls.
