Funding on the way for Indigenous women's safety

The Alberta Government is putting $4 million towards increasing safety and economic security for Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit plus (2S+) people.

This $4 million is going towards grant applications through the Community Support Fund, which will support community-based, Indigenous-led initiatives. Recipients of the grant can receive up to $200 000, and the main purpose of the fund is to provide immediate support for healing, preventing violence, and addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ people. 

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women face significantly higher rates of violence throughout their lifetimes than all other women in Canada and Alberta, Indigenous women are seven times more likely to be murdered, three times more likely to experience sexual assault, and twice as likely to be assaulted compared with non-Indigenous women.

Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson expressed that Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people deserve to live in a place of safety and security, free from violence. 

"We are working towards supporting Indigenous-led initiatives that can advance reconciliation and make a meaningful difference in their lives.” 

There will be three streams that these grants will be funded into and they will address violence, increase safety, and increase economic security for Indigenous women, girls and 2+ peoples. The recipients of the Community Support Fund must partner with Indigenous organizations, communities, and governments on projects and initiatives that they are doing.

Examples of eligible projects include projects or initiatives that:

• Support families, survivors, and loved ones of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people (MMIWG2S+) on their path to healing.
• Promote public awareness of MMIWG2S+ issues.
• Develop strategies and initiatives that increase individual and community safety.
• Address factors related to economic security.

In 2021, Alberta had the second-highest reports of homicide for Indigenous people behind Saskatchewan.

Applications for the Community Support Fund will close on October 6.