Province increases funding for MMIWG programming

There will be more funding available for efforts to address and acknowledge violence against Indigenous women in Saskatchewan.

In the summer the province announced $300,000 in funding for projects that raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) and address inter-personal violence. In a media release Tuesday, the province pledged another $100,000 towards those efforts as part of the government’s First Nations and Mtis Community Partnership Projects Program for 2020-21.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to meaningful and lasting reconciliation for the benefit of all Saskatchewan residents,” McMorris said. “These additional funds will further help community based organizations draw attention to this vitally important issue, as well as the finding within the National Inquiry.”

The province is also extending the deadline for applications to the fund until Jan. 15, 2021.

Five initiaties have already been supported by the program, including:

• Engaging Young Leaders of Today by Big Brothers Big Sisters Yorkton Area;
• The Treaty Land Sharing Network by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner;
• Women & Girls Wellness Group by the La Loche Friendship Centre;
• Grandmothers’ Teachings by the Treaty Education Alliance; and
• The Family Wellness and Healing Project by the Northwest Friendship Centre Inc.

The grant program is open to First Nations band councils or tribal councils, Mtis Nation-Saskatchewan locals, First Nations or Mtis representative organizations, Indigenous non-profit organizations, non-Indigenous, non-profit organizations seeking partnerships with Indigenous communities or whose programs/services benefit a primarily First Nations or Mtis clientele, and provincial municipalities.