Ontario taking action to better protect indigenous women

#Ontario; #IndigenousWomen; #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonthinCanada; #PeacefulLife

Toronto, Jun 1 (Canadian-Media): An announcement regarding the establishment of a new Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council was made June 1, on the first day of National Indigenous History Month in Canada by the Ontario government, media reports said.

Government of Ontario. Image credit: Twitter handle

June is National Indigenous History Month! We encourage you to take this time to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Ontario and Canada! #CelebrateNIHM https://t.co/t1pEZPrAO6 pic.twitter.com/5lyXUIphBk

— Indigenous Affairs (@IndigenousON) June 1, 2020

Indigenous women in Canada between the ages of 15-24 are reported to be over three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women and are two-and-a-half times more likely to experience spousal violence.

The Council would provide culturally-relevant advice on violence prevention, help indigenous communities to confront and eliminate the root causes of violence so that indigenous women and girls may lead a safe and secure life both today and for generations to come.

Co-chaired by Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues, and a future member of the Council, the Council will focus on serious issues like human trafficking, child, youth and family healing and well-being, and Ontario’s response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Ontario’s new Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council will bring together diverse voices to provide advice on human trafficking, child, youth & family healing and well-being, and broader violence prevention across Ontario. https://t.co/g4ZGYu5Oip pic.twitter.com/uVe3n2Hpn0

— Ontario Women (@WomenON) June 1, 2020

Dunlop said there is an immediate need to actively work in partnership with Indigenous leaders and community to deal with violence in a culturally-relevant way.
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The Council comprising of approximately 11 First Nations, Métis, Inuit and LGBTQ2S leaders and experts in violence prevention will meet twice annually. 

An Elder/Traditional Knowledge Keeper will be invited to guide and support the Council.

Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs said he is proud of the important step taken by the province in establishing this Council.

Due to the absence of a dedicated provincial forum for Indigenous women and LGBTQ2S leaders to deal with violence prevention issues, the Council, with its expertise and knowledge, will be the Indigenous women’s voices guide on Ontario’s priorities on a range of critical issues.