Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Awarded to Projects Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador

January 31, 2023

The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, today announced investments of $241,500 in 16 projects through the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program.

This year’s funded projects include initiatives focused on developing public awareness, education and training materials; leadership development; building community capacity; and enhancing opportunities for healing. Details on the funded projects can be found in the backgrounder below.

Minister Parsons was joined by Nona Matthews-Gosse and Odelle Pike from the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network, as well as Colleen Paul from Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities. The event was held in Stephenville.

Minister Parsons also signed a proclamation to recognize the importance of continued collaboration with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, both during Violence Prevention Month in February and going forward. The proclamation was signed alongside representatives from the Town of Stephenville, the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network and Violence Prevention Southwest.

The Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program reaffirms the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to support violence prevention efforts that are culturally appropriate and informed by the experiences of Indigenous communities.

Quotes

“Support for violence prevention initiatives that are developed and delivered by Indigenous Governments and Organizations is foundational to preventing violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. These 16 projects will have lasting positive impacts in Indigenous communities and throughout our province.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“Government’s partnership with Indigenous women’s groups, organizations and communities represents a collective effort to achieve a society where Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals can live free from the threat of violence and abuse. Projects approved under the Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program are positive, Indigenous-led and grounded in community.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“The Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program provides the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network with necessary financial support. The funds will assist in providing culturally based leadership and skill development while creating violence awareness, prevention and healing programs.”
Nona Matthews-Gosse
Executive Director, Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network

“Reducing and preventing violence requires that we work collaboratively to address the root causes of violence. This grant will allow our organization to support 40 people to grow their coping skills and self-awareness, helping to reduce harm while facilitating healing.”
Colleen Paul
Project Coordinator, Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities

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Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program

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BACKGROUNDER

Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program Projects 2022-23

Circle of Strength – Indigenous Women’s Gathering
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
This project will be a two-day gathering for 40 Indigenous women to be held in Stephenville in spring 2023. The goal of the project is to reduce violence and build leadership skills.
Grant awarded:  $19,375

Healing Our Community
Labrador Friendship Centre
This project will allow for an expansion of the crafting program, facilitating a train-the-trainer workshop for the blanket exercise, knowledge sharing, and hosting a throat singing workshop. The goal of the project is to build deeper connections to Indigenous cultures and traditions.
Grant awarded:  $19,220

Indigenous Violence Prevention Program
First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre
This project will support three of First Light’s ongoing programs: Generations Program/Women’s Group, Men’s Group and Elders Wisdom Circle. Together these programs have a goal of empowering participants, sharing cultural knowledge, and growing a sense of community to help prevent violence.
Grant awarded: $20,150

Innu Ishkueut Healing Journey
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
This project will host a five-day retreat on the land for approximately 10-12 women and elders. Topics to be discussed include violence against women, child neglect and abuse, addictions, lateral violence and reconciliation.
Grant awarded:  $15,500

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice Capacity Building – Benoit’s Cove
Benoit’s Cove Indian Band
Through cultural profiling, this project aims to contribute to a vision that reduces youth contact with the law.
Grant awarded:  $7,200

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice Capacity Building – Burgeo
Burgeo First Nation
Through cultural profiling, this project aims to contribute to a vision that reduces youth contact with the law.
Grant awarded:  $7,200

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice Capacity Building – Degrau
Benoit First Nation
Through cultural profiling, this project aims to contribute to a vision that reduces youth contact with the law.
Grant awarded:  $7,200

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice Capacity Building – St. George’s
St. George’s Indian Band
Through cultural profiling, this project aims to contribute to a vision that reduces youth contact with the law.
Grant awarded:  $7,200

Ktaqmkuk Restorative Justice Capacity Building – Three Rivers
Three Rivers Mi’kmaq Band
Through cultural profiling, this project aims to contribute to a vision that reduces youth contact with the law.
Grant awarded:  $7,200

Make it CLEAR: Developing Inclusivity Training Tools to Reduce Violence in the Workplace
Kalawikk
This project will support the development of a research-backed evaluation metric capable of evaluating existing organizational training material and to guide course development material in using a model approach. The goal of this project is to develop an inclusivity metric and increase positive attitudes towards societal diversity through the use of the metric.
Grant awarded:  $18,000

Nunatsiavut Craft Project
Nunatsiavut Government
This project will provide facilitated crafting workshops. The goal of this project is to bring together Elders and youth through cultural crafting activities to share tradition and foster connections.
Grant awarded:  $23,250

Parka Making Course
AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association
This project will provide a three-day parka making course for six women. The goal of the project is to help the participants develop tangible, culturally relevant skills through which they can gain economic security.
Grant awarded:  $5,225

Positive Paths: Violence Prevention Steps for Indigenous Peoples
Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance, Northern Peninsula (Mekap’sk) Mi’kmaq Band
This project involves a series of activities, workshops, crafting sessions and motivational speakers. The goal of this project is to grow understanding and awareness of violence, share violence prevention knowledge and promote understanding and acceptance among communities.
Grant awarded:  $20,420

Re-connecting our Roots, Re-establishing our Traditional Roles
Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities
This project will provide a two-day training session for 20 men and 20 women leading up to the “I am a Kind Man” training set to take place in the spring of 2023. The goal of the project is to support individual healing and provide tools for self-awareness, self-care and further development of coping mechanisms.
Grant awarded:  $23,260

Sharing our Strength
NunatuKavut Community Council
This project will help identify gaps and barriers of NunatuKavut Inuit with a focus to intergenerational trauma. The NunatuKavut Community Council will hold sharing circles and other engagements with a goal of increasing understanding of the impact of residential schools on former students, family members and communities as a whole.
Grant awarded:  $22,100

True Engagement to Address the Need for Prevention of Violence within Indigenous Families
Miawpukek First Nation, Conne River Health & Social Services
This project will provide a series of workshops for youth, will host weekly women’s group, will host weekly men’s group, will support recreational activities, and will offer motivational speaking sessions aimed at preventing violence within Indigenous families. The goal of this initiative is to increase knowledge and engagement within community.
Grant awarded:  $19,000

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