Across Ontario and Canada, Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people have faced, and continue to face, higher rates of violence, as reflected by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Almost six in ten (56%) Indigenous women have experienced physical assault while almost half (46%) of Indigenous women have experienced sexual assault. In comparison, about a third of non-Indigenous women have experienced physical assault (34%) or sexual assault (33%) in their lifetime. Additionally, more than six in ten (63%) Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual violence committed by an intimate partner or a non-intimate partner in their lifetime, such as an acquaintance, colleague or stranger (Source: Statistics Canada). Indigenous women and girls are strong and resilient, despite the systemic, physical, and emotional violence that they have been subjected to and the multiple barriers they experience when seeking help.

With over 88% of Indigenous women and girls living off-reserve, and as municipalities work to meaningfully address the gender-based violence/intimate partner violence epidemic more broadly, it is crucial to include actions to specifically address violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who also have a right to feel the same sense of belonging and well-being as other community members.
In this session we will hear from experts from the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario Native Women’s Association, and Métis Nation of Ontario. Collectively they will explore different measures of indigenous safety, the importance of collaboration and partnerships, and will provide practical guidance on what actions municipalities can include in their CSWB Plans.

Areas of Focus: Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People; MMIWG Calls for Justice; Indigenous Safety.