Winnipeg/CMEDIA: For reportedly the establishment of a first-of-its-kind 24-7 safe space for Indigenous women, $3.5 million to Ikwe Widdjiitiwin Inc. in Winnipeg was announced by the Manitoba government before the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced today.
“The Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Lodge is about more than preventing the next missing or murdered Indigenous woman or girl,” said Fontaine. “It is about creating a space where our relatives can heal, connect to culture and move forward with strength and support.”
Besides providing immediate, short-term safety and stabilization for Indigenous women at risk of violence, homelessness or exploitation, The lodge will provide low-barrier access to culturally safe crisis support including:
- a staffed, short-term safe space with 10 private bedrooms and a kitchen and dining area;
- counselling and cultural wellness spaces with cultural supports;
- a dedicated crisis response line operated by trained Indigenous staff; and
- a mobile transportation service to ensure safe travel to the facility.
Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, an Indigenous-led organization with more than 40 years of experience supporting women escaping violence, is well-positioned to lead this important project, the minister noted.
“Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than non-Indigenous women. That needs to change,” said Kim Fontaine, executive director, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin Inc. “We are honoured to be part of providing this necessary service to help keep our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, cousins and friends safe.”
Being made possible through Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag, the Manitoba government’s investment of $20-million provincial strategy to support the safety, protection and empowerment of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people honouring all the four pillars of the strategy, including access to culture, health services, healthy communities, and justice and safety.
Responding directly to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 231 Calls for Justice, the initiative provides culturally safe, trauma-informed supports for Indigenous women and girls in Winnipeg.
As part of the Manitoba government’s commitment to new 24-7 safe spaces for Indigenous women and girls in Manitoba, last year’s investment by the Manitoba government provided $500,000 to support the 10th Street Safe House also known as Franny’s Place in Brandon.
To learn more about the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/wage/minoayaawag-ikwewag.html.
