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Funding available to address violence against Indigenous women

Communities/groups in qathet can access resources to lead work to end gender-based violence
Tanya Hill
Tanya Hill
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GIVING VOICE: In honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, men and two-spirited people, a gathering was held at Willingdon Beach Rotary Pavilion on May 5, 2023. Today, the Minister’s Advisory Council on Indigenous Women is calling for applicants to the Giving Voice program’s 2024 cycle with $1 million available to help address the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls.Tanya Hill photo

A funding initiative called Giving Voice was launched in 2013, sponsored by the Minister's Advisory Council on Indigenous Women (MACIW) and delivered by the Province of British Columbia.

The council is calling for applicants to the program’s 2024 cycle with $1 million available to help address the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls, according to a MACIW media release.

Funding is available for community groups and organizations (including in the qathet region) that want to host or participate in community-based events to bring attention to stopping violence against Indigenous women and girls, as well as assisting with community mobilization and implementation.

“Giving Voice provides opportunities for healing and helps ensure Indigenous women and girls are respected and safe through a lens of reconciliation and community-led projects,” stated Barb Ward-Burkitt, chair of MACIW. “This latest round of funding will continue the progress being made toward ending violence against Indigenous women and girls in communities across the province.”

According to the release, between 2013 and 2022, $1.7 million was allocated to organizations through Giving Voice. A total of $1 million has been provided for the 2024 cycle to support grassroots initiatives and community healing.

Past recipients of funding include the Victoria Native Friendship Centre on Vancouver Island and Cowichan Valley Métis Association. 

“Gender-based violence exists in every community and every context. However, the rates of violence toward Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people are significantly higher,” stated Marci Ien, federal minister for women and and gender equality and youth of Canada. “That is why culturally specific programming is imperative to address these intersections.”

Eligible BC-based organizations are encouraged to apply by midnight (Pacific time) on June 28, 2024. 

To find out more about the program and application, go to Giving Voice.

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