(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

$4 million

Indigenous organizations get funding to ensure safer futures for women, girls and 2S+

May 22, 2024 | 10:58 AM

Three central Alberta organizations are benefiting from a provincial grant aimed at ensuring safer futures for Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ people.

The province announced a $4 million investment earlier this month to address and prevent violence through Indigenous-led actions funded by the Community Support Fund.

Funding is intended to support things like healing circles, mentorship connections, peer support networks, job skills training and financial literacy program.

Central Alberta organizations

Powwow Times – Sylvan Lake – $200,000

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Reclaiming Identity, Empowerment and Healing: Funding will go towards an initiative that will help support, heal and empower the families and loved ones of missing and murdered Indigenous women, raise awareness of the issues, and develop strategies to increase individual and community safety while addressing gendered factors related to economic security. This will all be accomplished through the preservation and promotion of Indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge.

Samson Cree Nation – Maskwacis – $192,600

Safety in Samson: Co-development-Shared Responsibility-“Mamawokamatowin”: Funding will support a variety of programming for Samson Cree Nation community members. The funding will allow the organization to increase their capacity for cultural events, safety training and economic empowerment events for nation members

Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association – Rocky Mountain House – $110,160

The Indigenous Wellness Support Project: This funding will go towards a pilot project that will provide a culturally relevant, harm-reducing and client-driven model of support to Indigenous clients of Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter. The project includes hiring an Indigenous worker and Elder to support Indigenous women, children, families and 2S+ people. Project activities will address violence while focusing on Indigenous teachings, creating social and community connections, increasing awareness, and improving health and wellness.

“We recognize Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ people know what’s needed to make Alberta a safer place for them, and that’s why we’re funding Indigenous-led solutions,” says Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.

“This grant program will help make a positive difference for hundreds of people across the province.”

The province notes that statistics which show that between 2009 and 2021, the rate of homicide against First Nations, Métis and Inuit women and girls was six times higher than the rate among non-Indigenous women.

Almost six in ten (56 per cent) Indigenous women have experienced physical assault while almost half (46 per cent) of Indigenous women have experienced sexual assault, compared to the national average of 34 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively.

A full list of recipients is here.

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