The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, today announced total funding of $241,500 for 14 projects through the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program.
The Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program supports Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous governments and organizations in their efforts to prevent violence against Indigenous women and children and to engage Indigenous men and boys in the prevention of violence.
Projects eligible to receive funding through the program include initiatives focused on developing public awareness and education materials; providing violence prevention training for community members and service providers; improving programs and services at shelters for Indigenous women; and supporting the transmission of cultural knowledge and language with the objective of reducing violence. Details on the 14 projects can be found in the backgrounder below.
Funding for the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program is made available through the Office of Women and Gender Equality. Since 2005, over $3.2 million in project funding has been awarded to Indigenous groups and organizations to assist with culturally appropriate violence prevention work in Indigenous communities.
Quotes
“Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals experience violence disproportionately in our province and our country. It is critical that we work together to address the inequities that perpetuate violence in our communities, and this funding will support Indigenous groups and organizations to continue their important violence-prevention work.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
“Support from the Provincial Government through the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program helps Indigenous Governments and Organizations deliver projects that strive to create violence-free communities. Through their advocacy, experience, and knowledge, recipients of Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants are making a difference and helping women and children at the grassroots level.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
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Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program
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Media contacts
Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program Projects 2021-22 Innu Ishkueut Healing Journey – Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
This project will host a three-day retreat on the land for approximately 12-15 women. The goal of the initiative is to increase awareness about violence against women, child abuse, and lateral violence.
Grant awarded: $16,500
Natuashish Women’s Shelter Violence Prevention Enhancement Project -Mushuau Innu Health Commission
This project will increase capacity building for staff, and create outreach programs and services for the entire community. The goal of this initiative is to allow staff to further their work by promoting anti-violence in the community.
Grant awarded: $8,360
Engaging our Youth and Community to Better Understand through Education and Recreation the Need for Prevention of Violence within Indigenous Families – Miawpukek First Nation, Conne River Health & Social Services
This project will provide a series of workshops, recreational activities, and motivational speaking sessions aimed at preventing violence within Indigenous families. The goal of this initiative is to increase knowledge and engagement within the student body and community at large.
Grant awarded: $23,550
Sewing, Socializing and Supporting: A Woman’s Evening Out -Nunatsiavut Government
This project will provide a facilitated seal skin mitt sewing workshop. The goal of this project is to offer women a safe place to gather, learn a new skill, confide in each other, and socialize in northern Labrador.
Grant awarded: $19,730
Breaking the Cycle: Men’s Roles in Creating Healthy Communities – Nunatsiavut Government
This project supports two initiatives to increase awareness and education:
- A Public awareness campaign aimed at boys and men to demonstrate the importance of generational support to prevent violence; and
- A week-long educational program that will be offered to the inmates at the Labrador Correctional Center (LCC) in Happy Valley- Goose Bay to discuss topics such as anger, violence, consent, the male code, and the effects of violence on individuals, families and communities.
Grant awarded: $11,550
K’taqmkuk Youth & Restorative Justice Support Assistant – Flat Bay Band Inc.
This project will support with the hiring of a Support Assistant to help to deliver the Youth and Restorative Justice Strategy for the island portion of the province.
Grant awarded: $15,000
Wenlido Women & Girls Empowerment Weekend – NunatuKavut Community Council – Labrador West Indigenous Service Centre
This weekend long event will offer Wenlido self-defense training to Indigenous women and girls with a focus on empowerment.
Grant awarded: $4,725
Women’s Friendship Circle: Healing Hands – Labrador Friendship Centre
This project will provide training in Intergenerational Trauma, Addictions, and Violence Prevention, and support the provision and expansion of cultural and violence prevention activities.
Grant awarded: $16,480
Violence Prevention Through Women on the Land – First Light Friendship Centre
This project will reduce barriers to access by providing space and resources for participants to engage in meaningful activities that are lands-based. Participants will take part in facilitated monthly activities, led by Elders and traditional knowledge holders from Indigenous communities.
Grant awarded: $27,500
Elders & Youth – Making a Difference; Bridging the Gap – People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre
This project will work toward healing in Indigenous communities by building a foundation between youth and Elders via the transfer of traditional knowledge and culture.
Grant awarded: $26,300
Elders & Youth – Making a Difference; Bridging the Gap – Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
This project is intricately linked with the project being executed by People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre. As both groups will be separately engaged in land-based teachings, this event will combine both groups and focused on building a sweat lodge on traditional healing grounds that will become a permanent structure to be used for future ceremony and healing.
Grant awarded: $27,475
Women Strong: A Program for the Prevention of Violence Against Indigenous Women – Mi’kmaq First Nation Assembly of Newfoundland
This project consists of a one-day workshop to be held in Corner Brook on March 2022. Workshop topics include understanding intimate partner violence; support services and community resources; and more.
Grant awarded: $14,730
Healthy Boys Make Healthy Men – AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association
This project will provide a workshop for young boys in Inuit communities will learn about violence prevention, dating safety, and healthy intimate relationships. The overall goal of this project is to educate young boys about dating violence and healthy relationships with a strong focus on respecting women and girls.
Grant awarded: $14,600
Cultural Connections Circle…Taking Time – Northern Peninsula (Mekap’sk) Mi’kmaq Band
This project is aimed at changing the norms and patterns around violence with Indigenous people on the Northern Peninsula. The goal of this project is to create a violence prevention plan of action will be prepared and implemented through the aid of Indigenous cultural activities.
Grant awarded: $15,000