Indigenous women and girls in southern B.C. will receive increased community-led support through $1 million from the Giving Voice project.

One East Kootenay organization is benefiting from that pot of money, with the Rocky Mountain Métis Association based in Cranbrook getting $27,250.

“When we received word our Métis Chartered Community received the Giving Voice funding, we were overjoyed. This funding will allow Métis women to come to a sacred safe space to learn, build community, share their stories and give back to others through their gifts and knowledge. To be given the opportunity to reconnect to Métis identity and culture is life-changing,” stated Jeff Crozier, Rocky Mountain Métis Association president.

Women, girls and gender-diverse people are disproportionately targeted by gender-based violence, and Indigenous women are four times more likely to experience gender-based violence, a Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation media release noted.

The Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation’s Advisory Council on Indigenous Women (MACIW) has made action on this topic a priority for the council.

“Gender-based violence disproportionately affects Indigenous women and girls in communities across the province,” said Barb Ward-Burkitt, chair of MACIW. “This latest round of Giving Voice funding is supporting meaningful initiatives that foster healing and promote safety for Indigenous women and girls, and empower change at a community level.”

Launched in 2013, Giving Voice places emphasis on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to cultural self-determination and safety, and aligns with the province’s efforts to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and take action in accordance with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Funding for the 2024-25 Giving Voice initiative was provided as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. The program also helps support one of several key actions the province is advancing under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s gender-based violence action plan.

“Giving Voice has supported thousands of people through community-led healing that uplifts the voices of Indigenous people and provides safe, culturally specific spaces for survivors, their families and communities on the path to addressing the impacts of violence and trauma,” said Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.

MACIW is an advisory council of respected Indigenous women that was created in 2011 to advise the B.C. government about how to improve quality of life for Indigenous women and girls throughout the province.

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