Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson speaking on the Community Support Fund, Monday, May 13, 2024. (Photo: Government of Alberta / YourAlberta on YouTube)

By Justin Goulet

Funding announced to support Indigenous women, girls Two-Spirited people

May 13, 2024 | 3:01 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta is supporting projects aimed at protecting Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirited people.

On Monday, May 13, 2024, the provincial government announced that $4 million will go toward addressing and preventing violence through Indigenous-led actions funded by the Community Support Fund.

Multiple recipients for the 2023-24 fiscal year have been named, and applications for the 2024-25 fiscal year are open, as of Monday.

The fund aids projects that address violence and support the safety of participants, along with their wellbeing and economic security through healing circles, mentorship connections, peer support networks, job skills training and financial literacy programs.

“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 Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson.

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

Some of the recipients for 2023-24 include:

• City of Lethbridge: $200,000 in one-year funding for the Sikóóhkotok Community Safe Reporting and Safe Space Expansion Strategy.
  • This will help to create an online safe reporting system in the community, as well as create and promote safe spaces for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirited people. Officials say the goal is to reduce barriers and broaden choices for survivors and institutions to take action on sexual violence.
• Blood Tribe (Standoff): $200,000 in one-year funding for the Blood Tribe Harm Reduction Project.
  • Funding will support a program aimed at helping employ Indigenous women with lived experience of substance use as peer support workers. Participants will get training and skill development opportunities and use their own experiences to help their families and friends in the recovery process.
• Siksika Family Services Corporation: $200,000 in one-year funding to support a program that focuses on the prevention of domestic violence by teaching the Siksika way of Being and Knowing.
  • Parents will be supported in recognizing the impacts of residential schools, intergenerational trauma and colonization through a trauma-informed approach.

A full list of the recipients is available through the Government of Alberta website. Applications for the 2024-25 fiscal year are open from May 13 to July 12, 2024.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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