Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women

​#HarinderMalhi, #WalkingTogether:#OntarioLongTermStrategy;  #BeendigenInc.,  #EndViolenceAgainstIndigenousWomen, #Indigenouswomen,#SheilaMcMahon, #DebraVermette

​Ottawa, Jan 27 (Canadian-Media): Ontario is promoting helpline services to help violence against Indigenous women (First Nation, Métis and Inuit women in Ontario), as part of its commitment to the strategy 'Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women', released in 2016, which ensures future generations of Indigenous women can lead safe and respectful lives, media reports said. 

​Harinder Malhi. Image credit: Twitter handle

This strategy is a collaborative effort of Ontario's Indigenous partners including reportedly the members of the Joint Working Group on Violence Against Aboriginal Women, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Ontario Native Women’s Association, the Métis Nation of Ontario, Independent First Nations and Chiefs of Ontario.

In Ontario indigenous women reportedly make up only 1.2 percent of Ontario’s population yet 6 percent of female homicide victims.

“Indigenous Women in Ontario face unique challenges that require strong solutions. Expanding this province-wide helpline service allows Indigenous women to access important, culturally appropriate services. Services that reinforce Indigenous traditions and cultures, so survivors can rebuild their lives and heal.”, Harinder Malhi, Ontario Minister of the Status of Women was reported to state.

​Ontario is investing  $500,000 annually in Beendigen Inc., an Indigenous family shelter in Thunder Bay which had been providing safety to Indigenous women for more than 40 years but "What might work in Thunder Bay may not work in Toronto and that is why communities must lead.” Sheila McMahon, Board President, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres was reported to state.

This investment is part of  the $100 million, three-year Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women and  followed the success of Talk4Healing, lancherd in 2012,  a helpline for Indigenous women in Northern Ontario that is available 24/7, with services in multiple languages, including Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree.

"The current Talk4Healing help line has been successfully funded and supported by the Ontario government...We look forward to...partnering with the Ontario Native Women’s Association on this exciting project,” Debra Vermette, Executive Director, Beendigen Inc. was reported to state.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)