B.C. Indigenous organizations to receive $3M boost to fight gender-based violence

The federal government says it is providing more than $3 million in funding to seven B.C.-based Indigenous organizations to support projects aimed at rooting out gender-based violence.

Women and Gender Equality Canada says the funding is going to the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, Carrier Sekani Family Services, the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society, the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society, the Urban Native Youth Association, and the Aboriginal Front Door Society.

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“The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the underlying systemic causes of ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,” the feds said in a news release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic also created unprecedented challenges for victims and survivors seeking help and the frontline organizations that support them.”

The funding is part of the Liberal government’s $601.3 million plan to end gender-based violence, which was outlined in its 2021 budget in 2021.

Women and Gender Equality Canada says the money builds upon earlier funding provided in B.C. to create crisis hotlines for people experiencing gender-based violence.

With files from Emma Crawford