2023-24 Reporting on the Calls for Justice 1.1 to 1.11: Human and Indigenous Rights and Governmental Obligations

On June 3, 2021, the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan was released. It was co-developed by representatives of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Indigenous grass roots organizations; Indigenous, provincial and territorial governments as well as the Federal Government and Indigenous urban and 2SLGBTQI+ leaders, centered around the National Family and Survivors Circle. The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People is the federal government’s contribution to the National Action Plan.

Progress on implementation is reported annually by individual contributors, including the federal government, through its Annual Progress Report. Progress reports are published on the National Action Plan website. To note: while in 2022 an overall progress report on the National Action Plan was produced, partners indicated this was not desired for 2023, and as such only individual updates of those who submitted one are available.

Throughout this work, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls Secretariat has provided secretarial and coordination support for the development as well as progress reporting on the National Action Plan.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $16M/6 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Families and Survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people; Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people's organizations; National and Regional Indigenous Organizations; Municipalities, Provinces and Territories; Federal departments and agencies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 15.8

Addressing sex-based inequities in the Indian Act through the implementation of former Bill S-3 contributes to Call for Justice 1.2v by ensuring women and their descendants (of all genders) are entitled to be registered and able to seek band membership. In 2023-24, 12,141 First Nations women and their descendants (of all genders) were registered and able to seek band membership through the dedicated processing location for S-3 applications. The Department will continue to process applications within its six-month service standard in 2024-25 allowing individuals to access programs and services associated with registration and band membership. The Department has been operating within its service standard for S-3 applications since September 2022.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Total of $35.7M over a period of 5 years (2019-23)
Funding Source: Off-Cycle Request 2019
Partners: Assembly of First Nations; Native Women's Association of Canada; Feminist Alliance for International Action, Provinces and Territories; and Indian Registration Administrators (IRAs) in First Nation Bands across the country
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: N/A

The long-term reform efforts of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program contribute to addressing Call for Justice 1.3. The reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program aims to address systemic inequalities and improve the outcomes of First Nations children ordinarily resident on reserve and in the Yukon, which in turn can support marginalized women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. By providing equitable access to culturally-appropriate services and resources, the reform helps to break down barriers that have historically marginalized these groups within First Nation communities.

In an effort to eliminate systemic discrimination related to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, on December 31, 2021, the Assembly of First Nations, the Caring Society, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Government of Canada signed an Agreement-in-Principle on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program. In line with commitments from the Agreement-in-Principle, in April 2022, Indigenous Services Canada began funding several enhancements to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program in advance of the full reform of the Program, including enhancements related to prevention, post-majority support services, and First Nations representative services. Indigenous Services Canada has also been funding the actual costs of capital assets to support the delivery of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program since winter 2022, as per an order by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

In 2023-24, as part of the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, Indigenous Services Canada continued to fund the immediate measures and capital based on actuals. In early 2024, Indigenous Services Canada also provided funding top-ups to existing funding received by First Nations child and family services agencies and First Nations for information technology, emergencies, results, and adjustments for remoteness and poverty. Also, in early 2024, Indigenous Services Canada flowed to First Nations a portion of the housing funding commitment that was included in the Agreement-in-Principle on long-term reform.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Budget 2021: $1B over 5 years and $118.7M ongoing
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: First Nations; First Nations child and family services agencies; Parties to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal complaint regarding the Program; National First Nation organizations;
Regional First Nation organizations; and provincial and territorial governments and agencies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act) contributes to addressing Call to Justice 1.3. The Act, which came into force on January 1, 2020, was co-developed, and is being implemented with Indigenous partners with the expected result of reducing the number of Indigenous children in care. The Act affirms that the inherent right of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to self-government includes jurisdiction in relation to child and family services, and sets out principles (i.e., the best interests of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality) and minimum standards applicable, on a national level, to the provision of child and family services to Indigenous children. The implementation of the Act indirectly contributes to Call for Justice 1.3 because, by providing funding to Indigenous governing bodies to support their efforts to develop and implement Indigenous child and family services laws and service models and putting in place national principles and standards which must be followed by all service providers in the delivery of child and family services to Indigenous children and families, Indigenous Services Canada is helping to create a space for inclusive and culturally-responsive approaches to child and family services that can support all members, including those that identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+. Although the Act was not developed or structured to yield advantages based on gender, it is likely to have greater positive benefit for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people considering how they have, and continue to be, disproportionately impacted by discriminatory policies. As part of the implementation of the Act, a unique, holistic, and community-driven process has been put in place for groups, communities, or peoples to move towards the development of laws and exercise of jurisdiction. This process has included:

• Distinctions-based governance engagement mechanisms for partners to discuss high-level policy issues relating to transition and effective implementation of the Act;
• Funding to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, groups, and people and Indigenous governing bodies develop capacity to implement their child and family service delivery plans;
• Establishing tripartite coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Committing to fiscal arrangements that are sustainable, needs-based and consistent with the principle of substantive equality.

Between January 2020 and March 31, 2024:

• Indigenous Services Canada allocated over $205.9M in capacity-building funding to 224 Indigenous governing bodies (217 First Nation, 4 Inuit and 3 Métis) preparing to exercise jurisdiction via the framework of the Act;
• Indigenous Services Canada received 91 notices to exercise jurisdiction and requests to enter into a coordination agreement from 77 Indigenous governing bodies (74 First Nation, 1 Inuit and 2 Métis) representing more than 110 First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities pursuant to section 20 of the Act;
• Seven Indigenous governing bodies representing nine First Nations completed coordination agreements and fiscal arrangements to support the exercise of jurisdiction in relation to child and family services; and
• Ten Indigenous laws came into force.

In fiscal year 2023-24 specifically:

• 125 capacity-building proposals were funded;
• Although no new coordination agreements were completed, there were 21 active coordination agreement discussion tables; and
• Four Indigenous laws came into force for the following First Nations groups, communities or people:
  • Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
  • Sts'ailes First Nation
  • Splatsin

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: Economic and Fiscal Snapshot: $542M over five years; Budget 2021: $73.6M over four years; Budget 2022: $87.3M over three to five years; Various funding sources: $1.29B – Funding allocated for various term lengths (up to ten years) starting over different fiscal years; Budget 2024: $1.8B over eleven years
Funding Source: Various
Partners: National Indigenous Organizations; Regional Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous, Federal, provincial and territorial governments; and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Indigenous governing bodies
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 29, 34, 36
Related Calls for Justice: 1.2 v, 2.2 ii, 2.3, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.11, 12.14, 16.14, 16.16, 16.17, 16.18, 17.3, 17.4, 17.16, 17.17, 17.18

This initiative supports Calls for Justice 1.3 by increasing the capacity of Indigenous not-for-profit organizations to prevent or address GBV against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Through the implementation of the 2022 Increasing the Capacity of Indigenous Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations to address gender-based violence call for proposals, Women and Gender Equality Canada has worked to eliminate the marginalization of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in the funding process by including an External Review Committee composed of Indigenous women with experience in the gender-based violence sector in the assessment process.

The External Review Committee’s mandate was to provide an external perspective as well as an Indigenous lens to the review process and among committee members were members of Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Indigenous Women Circle. As a result, Indigenous Women Circle members have been engaged in both the planning and proposal assessment phases of the funding initiative. The Indigenous Women Circle has also received updates on the progress of implementing the funded projects to monitor the progress of recommendations.

Several funded projects seek to directly improve their ability to provide prevention programming. For example, the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association is receiving $499,983 to increase its ability to prevent gender-based violence against Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in north-central Saskatchewan. The organization will build a collaborative network, strengthen partnerships, create resources, educate staff in gender-based violence prevention and improve their program development to better support the detection, prevention and/or intervention of gender-based violence in their communities.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $55M/5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Women and Gender Equality Canada's Indigenous Women's Circle; Indigenous women's organizations; Indigenous peoples; 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ organizations that provide gender-based violence prevention programming
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.5, 1.6

The negotiations of Administration of Justice Agreements support Calls for Justice 1.4 as these agreements and discussions could impact reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. They can also promote self-determination for Indigenous peoples and improve the Crown-Indigenous relationship. The creation of Administration of Justice agreements will support self-governance for Indigenous communities, which supports all aspects of daily life, reinforcing the strength of the community and its health and safety. A strong, culturally responsive, justice system can also assist with the development of other sectoral areas like land and financial management.

Justice Canada, in consultation with the department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, is working on supports for communities who wish to enter into negotiations for their own Administration of Justice Agreements.

In 2021-22, Justice Canada increased its capacity to support the negotiation of Administration of Justice Agreements. The Indigenous Justice Revitalization Section was created in 2022 to specifically work on potential Administration of Justice Agreements with Indigenous communities across the country. In addition, discussions with leaders and Indigenous communities on administration of justice has increased. Requests for assistance from Indigenous groups seeking administration of justice-specific negotiation processes have also significantly increased.

Discussions at the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) tables will continue with Indigenous communities, advancing their rights, interests, and needs as they move towards developing final administration of justice agreements, which include increasing the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Through the RIRSD process, Justice Canada is supporting First Nation governments to develop agreements focused on creating a restorative justice system, structured according to traditional cultural practices and Indigenous justice systems. This includes a focus on early intervention to prevent citizens' interactions with the justice system, as well as trauma-informed support in the context of healing circles and restorative peacemaking processes. Throughout the process, the First Nation government has emphasized the importance of developing a governance structure that represents all voices in the community, including women, grandmothers, and youth. This approach will support the Calls for Justice by ensuring women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ youth have a voice in the administration of justice within their communities.

Discussions will also continue at Administration of Justice tables.

The Department is committed to ensuring the participation and inclusion of perspectives, experiences and voices from diverse groups within Indigenous communities, specifically Elders, youth, women and 2SLGBTQI+ people, throughout the negotiation process.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: $8.1M over 5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and other relevant departments; Negotiating communities
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.6, 5.1, 5.11

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence responds in part to Call for Justice 1.5 by working with provinces and territories to address the root causes of violence and create a Canada free of gender-based violence. It also responds in part to Call for Miskotâha 5; the National Action Plan to End GBV’s Foundation includes a component on data, research and knowledge mobilization. Federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as the GBV sector, rely on data and research to develop evidence-based policies and programs to address GBV. Qualitative and quantitative data that is intersectional and disaggregated – including on Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people – are needed to identify the unique needs of communities in order to develop impactful policies, programs, and funding initiatives.

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan and corresponding Federal Pathway are aligned and mutually reinforcing. They both aim to prevent gender-based violence, address its root causes, and provide better supports for victims, survivors, and their families.

Women and Gender Equality Canada has signed and announced bilateral agreements with all 13 provinces and territories to deliver Budget 2022 funding to supplement and enhance services and supports within their jurisdictions to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors and their families. Details of provincial and territorial agreements plans can be found on Women and Gender Equality Canada's website.

Pillar 4 of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence specifically reflects the importance of preventing and addressing gender-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people through Indigenous-led approaches. This pillar is complementary to the MMIWG2S+ National Action Plan and Federal Pathway and highlights the synergies between the two national action plans. Women and Gender Equality Canada’s "Increasing the Capacity of Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations" initiative is a key action under both Pillar 4 of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and the Federal Pathway.

As part of the implementation of National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, federal, provincial, and territorial governments^{Footnote 2}, are working together to monitor the results and impacts of actions through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. A national report will be made publicly available on an annual basis to show progress, starting in fall 2024.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $539.3M/5 years, starting in 2022-23
Funding Source: Budget 2022
Partners: Indigenous partners and community leaders; National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives; Members of Women and Gender Equality Canada's Indigenous Women's Circle; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat; Civil society organizations
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 5
Related Calls for Justice: 1.6

This initiative supports Calls for Justice 1.5 by increasing the capacity of Indigenous not-for-profit organizations to prevent or address GBV against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Through this initiative, Women and Gender Equality Canada seeks to bolster the capacity of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to provide gender-based violence prevention programming aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. As of 2023-24, through this investment, over 100 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations received funding. This includes:

• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak is receiving $734,340 to develop a Métis 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan to prevent and address gender-based violence, with representation from across the Métis Nation Motherland;
• Tahiuqtiit Woman’s Society is receiving $489,952 to conduct a needs assessment, engage individuals with lived experience, develop and implement Inuit-centred policies and practices for women’s shelters, and disseminate learnings to other women’s shelters; and
• Orillia Native Women’s Group is receiving $328,125 to develop and implement a community consultation plan and a strategic plan to address and prevent gender-based violence.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $55M/5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Women and Gender Equality Canada's Indigenous Women's Circle; Indigenous women's organizations; Organizations serving Indigenous peoples; 2SLGBTQI+ organizations that provide gender-based violence prevention programming
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.3, 1.6

The Awareness Campaign, which is a part of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, responds in part to Call for Justice 1.5 by raising awareness and improving understanding of 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada, including issues facing Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, launched in August 2022, the Government of Canada committed up to $5.6 million to enhance inclusion and break down underlying and long-standing stigma and discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ communities through a multi-pronged Awareness Campaign, led by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Consultations with 2SLGBTQI+ community members, partner organizations, and the general public continue to inform the development of the campaign. The first phase of work in the awareness campaign included public opinion research which responds in part to Call for Miskotahâ 5 by investing in community-based research to identify challenges and stigma faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including 2SLGBTQI+ women and Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people. Since the launch of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, Women and Gender Equality Canada:

• Completed public opinion research as the first phase of work in the awareness campaign to enhance inclusion and break down stigma and discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ communities and published a report summarizing the findings on the Library and Archives Canada website.
• Awarded a task-based contract of up to 1.1M to a marketing firm to develop, manage, and implement an awareness campaign to enhance inclusion and break down stigma and discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $100M/5 years starting in 2022-23
Funding Source: Budget 2022
Partners: 2SLGBTQI+ communities and organizations; 2SLGTBQI+ Community and Government of Canada Partnership Committee; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; National Council for MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA people
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 5
Related Calls for Justice: 1.6

As highlighted in the National Inquiry's Final report, as part of the criminal justice system, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada is currently unable to provide the full extent and continuity of support victims and witnesses deserve throughout the court process. Building trust and clear communication are essential to prosecutions. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada's increase in prosecutorial capacity will enable prosecution teams to spend as much time as necessary with victims and witnesses to establish trust and properly prepare them for the unfamiliar and traumatic court process. Although this approach is broadly linked to other Calls for Justice, it responds directly to Calls for Justice 1.5.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has launched a Northern Recruitment Strategy that focusses on addressing immediate gaps and reaching full staff complement through outreach programs, partnerships, innovative advertising and branding techniques, as well as targeted hiring strategies by region and job category.

Significant progress has already been made in increasing prosecutorial capacity in the northern territories. However, external factors such as a lack of childcare, non-competitive salaries and benefits, lack of infrastructure, living conditions and environmental factors, as well as the nature of the work, continue to pose significant challenges for recruitment and retention.

Since April 1, 2020, the FTE count in each of the three northern regional offices continues to increase year-over-year:

Yukon Regional Office

• 2020-2021: FTE Count 31.86
• 2021-2022: FTE Count 32.84
• 2022-2023: FTE Count 34.49

Northwest Territories Regional Office

• 2020-2021: FTE Count 48.58
• 2021-2022: FTE Count 52.44
• 2022-2023: FTE Count 53.11

Nunavut Regional Office

• 2020-2021: FTE Count 39.13
• 2021-2022: FTE Count 45.95
• 2022-2023: FTE Count 52.62

Nunavut and Northwest Territories have the highest rates of sexual violence in the country. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada created the Specialized Sexual Violence Prosecution Team in the Northwest Territories. The Specialized Sexual Violence Prevention Team consists of two senior prosecutors, a paralegal, two Crown Witness Coordinators, and a third prosecutor position which is filled on a rotating basis. The Specialized Sexual Violence Prevention Team's overarching goal is to create institutional change in the way sexual violence cases are understood and addressed, especially those involving Indigenous women, girls or 2SLGBTQI+ community. They aim to achieve this goal by reviewing every sexual violence file, providing strategic assistance, training and mentorship to prosecutors and police, providing improved and consistent support for victims, and engaging with external stakeholders on sexual violence.

Increasing the complement of Crown Witness Coordinators has enabled the Northwest Territories Regional Office to establish contact with victims and provide them with information and support much earlier in the prosecution process than before. This early contact allows the Northwest Territories Regional Office to establish a stronger trust relationship with the victim which is essential when dealing with vulnerable victims. Additionally, all sexual violence files are now assigned to a Crown Witness Coordinators early in the prosecution to maintain continuity for victims throughout the court process.

The Nunavut Regional Office has begun a targeted approach to prosecuting sexual violence files and created a General Counsel position dedicated to the capacity increase for sexual violence prosecutions within the region. This dedicated General Counsel is responsible to build, train and maintain a team of paralegal, counsel and crown witness coordinator to specifically support the work on those files and to establish internal training and support for such files. The overarching objective is to improve service to victims of sexual violence by connecting with them at the earliest stages of the prosecution and continue to work with them over the course of the file. Secondary objectives are to support other stakeholders such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Victim Services in providing increased support and training to increase investigation quality in a trauma-informed basis.

Further, the Nunavut Regional Office has established an intake process specific to the review of files where children are victims of sexual violence, so that all appropriate steps are taken early in the life of a file to limit additional trauma to children's victim of violence. The Nunavut Regional Office has also increased the size of its Crown Witness Coordinators contingent to increase the ratio of Crown Witness Coordinators per lawyer FTE, with the objective of ensuring more continui in contact with victims, and increased support and access to justice for victims of crime in Nunavut, particularly in the context of intimate partner violence and sexual violence.

Increasing the complement of Crown Witness Coordinators has enabled the Yukon Regional Office to connect with victims earlier in the prosecution process and to maintain continuity of support and more consistently maintain the same prosecution team throughout the life of a file. It has also provided the opportunity for the Yukon Regional Office to increase its support and training for prosecutors to enable them to more effectively prosecute and support files involving sexual violence. This includes office wide training in 2023 on changes in the law around sexual assault as well as specific practical witness preparation training for junior counsel.

Lead Department: Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Funding Amount: $23.5M/3 years (shared by all four public initiatives)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 5.12, 9.2

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence responds in part to Call for Justice 1.6 by working with provinces and territories to address the root causes of violence and create a Canada free of gender-based violence that supports victims, survivors, and their families, no matter where they live. It supports a national approach to ending gender-based violence by leveraging federal, provincial, and territorial levers to address the root causes of gender-based violence.

Women and Gender Equality Canada has signed bilateral agreements with all 13 provinces and territories to deliver Budget 2022 funding to support implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence in their jurisdictions. Details of provincial and territorial agreements can be found on Women and Gender Equality Canada's website.

As part of the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, federal, provincial, and territorial governments are working together to monitor the results and impacts of actions through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. A national report will be made publicly available on an annual basis to show progress, starting in fall 2024.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $539.3M/5 years, starting in 2022-23
Funding Source: Budget 2022
Partners: Indigenous partners and community leaders; National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives; Members of Women and Gender Equality Canada's Indigenous Women's Circle; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat; Civil society organizations
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 5
Related Calls for Justice: 1.5

Through the funding to Increase the Capacity of Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations, Women and Gender Equality Canada is working to eliminate jurisdictional gaps by more than 100 Indigenous organizations increase their capacity to provide prevention programming. Women and Gender Equality Canada will also enhance access to services by working to improve skills, information, collaboration, and tools which will increase the capacity of Indigenous not-for-profit organizations in preventing or addressing gender-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

As of 2023-24, Women and Gender Equality Canada is funding over 100 projects in all provinces and territories with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations. This includes:

• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak is receiving $734,340 to develop a Métis 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan to prevent and address gender-based violence, with representation from across the Métis Nation Motherland;
• Tahiuqtiit Woman’s Society is receiving $489,952 to conduct a needs assessment, engage individuals with lived experience, develop and implement Inuit-centred policies and practices for women’s shelters, and disseminate learnings to other women’s shelters; and
• Orillia Native Women’s Group is receiving $328,125 to develop and implement a community consultation plan and a strategic plan to address and prevent gender-based violence.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $55M/5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Women and Gender Equality Canada's Indigenous Women's Circle; Indigenous women's organizations, Indigenous Organizations serving Indigenous peoples, and; 2SLGBTQI+ organizations that provide gender-based violence prevention programming
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.3, 1.5

The 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund respond in part to Call for Justice 1.6, by supporting community organizations that provide quality programs and services to 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, launched in August 2022, the Government of Canada committed up to $40 million to strengthen the capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ organizations through the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and up to $35 million for projects aimed at addressing specific barriers to 2SLGBTQI+ equality through the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund.

A total of 17 organizations that identified Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities as a primary population they serve have been supported under the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund to date. Of these 17 organizations, 12 organizations had funding approved beginning in the 2023-24 fiscal year under both the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund. The total funding approved for all 12 organizations under both funds was $3,621,081. As part of this funding, WAGE provided $546,609 to Queer Yukon Society for a 30-month project that will build stronger capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations and networks to advance 2SLGBTQI+ equality. Project will work to address gaps in organizational infrastructure to support safety, accessibility and long-term organizational sustainability.

Lead Department: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Funding Amount: $100M/5 years starting in 2022-23
Funding Source: Budget 2022
Partners: 2SLGBTQI+ communities and organizations; 2SLGTBQI+ Community and Government of Canada Partnership Committee; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; National Council for MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA people
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 5
Related Calls for Justice: 1.5

Starting in January 2023, the establishment of an annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Roundtable (formerly the Federal-Provincial-Territorial-Indigenous table) has created a forum for Indigenous, federal, provincial, and territorial leaders, as well as grassroots and regional Indigenous organizations to discuss any cross-jurisdictional issues and their solutions. This initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.6 which recommends that all governments work to eliminate jurisdictional gaps by bringing together Indigenous federal, provincial and territorial partners to share best practices and progress updates and to discuss cross-jurisdictional priorities, increasing engagement, awareness, and collaboration.

The second annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People was held on February 7-8, 2024, in Ottawa and virtually. Indigenous leaders and grassroots organizations joined federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers and officials in discussing a Red Dress Alert, the final report of the Ministerial Special Representative on an Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson and oversight and monitoring implementation of Calls for Justice. They also shared and discussed best practices, key priorities, and opportunities for collaboration.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $2.5M/5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2023
Partners: National Family and Survivor Circle; Urban Working Group; 2SLGBTQQIA+ Committee; Assembly of First Nations; Inuit Tapariit Kanatami; Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak; Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; Native Women's Association of Canada; Regional Indigenous women's organizations; Provinces and Territories; Federal departments
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.5

The Department of Justice is involved in several other aspects of administration of justice. Of note, the Department is working with other federal partners and Indigenous organizations, as well as provinces and territories (e.g., British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia), on seeking solutions to long-standing challenges regarding the lack of enforcement of Indigenous laws and bylaws. The Department is also working with Indigenous communities to support the revitalization of Indigenous legal traditions and to promote knowledge and respect of these traditions.

The Department is committed to ensuring the participation and inclusion of perspectives, experiences, and voices from diverse groups within Indigenous communities, specifically Elders, youth, women and 2SLGBTQI+ people, throughout the negotiation process.

Discussions will also continue at Administration of Justice tables.

The creation of Administration of Justice agreements will advance reconciliation and support self-determination and self-governance for Indigenous communities reinforcing the strength of the community and its health and safety. A strong justice system can also assist with the development of other sectoral areas like land and financial management.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: $8.1M/5 years
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and other relevant departments; Negotiating communities
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 1.4, 5.1, 5.11

Through Budget 2023, the Government of Canada is providing $95.8 million over five years, and $20.4 million annually on an ongoing basis to expand support for Indigenous families of missing and murdered women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S+) to access information about their loved ones; enhance community supports to ensure that families of MMIWG2S+ have access to community-based, Indigenous-led support to assist them with the grief and trauma of their loss; and enhance the availability and accessibility of services and supports for Indigenous victims and survivors of crime.

Of this amount, $37.3 million over five years and $7.75 million annually on an ongoing basis was secured to ensure that the critical services provided by Family Information Liaison Units (FILUs) to families of missing and murdered Indigenous people continue to be available. These funds will also help FILUs expand their operations to address gaps in service delivery and remain responsive to the needs of Indigenous communities.

Since 2016, FILUs funding has been renewed with one and three years of funding, creating significant stress for family member clients, and strain on FILUs operations and partners. The ongoing funding announced in Budget 2023 will create a sustainable, long-term source of support centered on families, permit new FILUs partnerships and increase capacity to undertake new activities in response to the gaps that family members have identified in FILUs operations. With this new funding commitment, the Government of Canada is seeking to ensure that FILUs support continues to be available to families.

Through Budget 2023 investments, funding was extended, expanded and increased for the Family Information Liaison Units to continue helping families in all 13 provinces and territories access the available information they are seeking about their missing and murdered loved ones, across agencies, sectors and jurisdictions, with the support of a culturally-grounded, trauma-informed team to assist them through this process. FILUs also assist families in accessing culturally-grounded healing supports and services at the community level to address the grief and trauma of their loss.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: $37.3M over 5 years and $7.75M ongoing annually
Funding Source: Budget 2023
Partners: Provincial and territorial governments, FILU national networks (operational and frontline); Family members; Partner agencies in the justice system
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Other Related Calls for Justice: 5.6, 16.29, 17.28

In January of 2023, the Ministerial Special Representative was appointed to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of Call for Justice 1.7, and specifically the creation of an Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson. The Ministerial Special Representative reports directly to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, but is independent of the federal bureaucracy, with a mandate to meet with national and regional Indigenous organizations, as well as existing accountability entities, federal government departments, and provincial and territorial MMIWG2S+ lead departments to gather information and provide advice and recommendations on the way forward.

Over the next 9 months, the Ministerial Special Representative met with over 600 people representing 125 organizations, including national and regional Indigenous organizations, including all distinctions, federal government departments, and provincial and territorial governments. Her final report was provided to the Minister in March 2024. The Ministerial Special Representative presented her findings at the second annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People (February 7-8, 2024). A version of the final report was shared with Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial partners in advance of the National Roundtable.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $1.6 million over two years
Funding Source: Budget 2023
Partners: The Ministerial Special Representative, Indigenous partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: N/A

Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems initiatives partially respond to Call for Justice 1.8 and Call for Miskotahâ by supporting measures that aim to prevent, and provide redress for, experiences of violence in health care. Indigenous Services Canada funded four National Indigenous Women's Organizations (National Council of Indigenous Midwives, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, Pauktuutit, Native Women's Association of Canada) over three years to support key priorities including:

• sexual and reproductive health, including the issue of forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women;
• maternal and child health, including restoring Indigenous midwifery; and,
• parental support, social support, wrap-around services.

Supported by Indigenous Services Canada funding, the Native Women's Association of Canada has created several resources on the topic of culturally safe sexual and reproductive health care and patient rights, including:

• a toolkit for Indigenous women that includes information on free, prior and informed consent, informed choice, patient rights, and how to file a complaint; and,
• a toolkit for health care providers, to educate them on the history and current context of forced and coerced sterilization, Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices, and how to create safe spaces for Indigenous women in health care settings.

These resources continue to be disseminated via social media campaigns and workshops, and are available on the Native Women's Association of Canada recently launched the Culturally Safe and Trauma-Informed Knowledge Hub.

Additionally, Les Femmes Michif Otipemiswiak (LFMO) published the LFMO Policy Statement on Forced and Coerced Sterilization to raise awareness and outline recommendations to the Government of Canada, which directly addresses Call for Miskotahâ 19.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Health Canada
Funding Amount: $111.8M/3 years (ISC); $14.9M/3 years (HC)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: ISC: Pan-Canadian Health Organizations; National Indigenous health professional organizations; National Indigenous Organizations; Indigenous organizations; Health systems partners; Educational institutions; Provincial/Territorial Government representatives; Regional/community-based health system partners; Indigenous governments and communities / Health Canada: Pan-Canadian Health Organizations; National Health system partners; National Indigenous Organizations; National Indigenous health system partners; Provincial/Territorial Governments; Indigenous governments; Organizations and communities; Regional and community-based health system partners; Educational institutions
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 6, 19
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.4, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7

The Family Violence Prevention Program responds to Call for Justice 1.8, 4.7, and 16.19 by funding the operations of emergency shelters and transitional (second stage) housing to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada, including in the North and in urban centres. Launched in 2021, the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative is a joint initiative between Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) that supports the construction and operation of new shelters and transitional homes across Canada. As of April 2024, the Initiative has selected 47 projects (24 shelters and 23 transitional housing) within First Nations, Inuit, Métis, 2SLGBTQI+, and Indigenous urban communities. In 2023-24, the Program also created a second stream of funding as part of the annual Call for Proposals for project development to support Indigenous communities in applying to the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, and to expedite the progress of selected shelter projects.

Additionally the Program responds to Calls for Miskotahâ by funding culturally-appropriate supports and violence prevention activities that are defined and led by Indigenous organizations and communities, including First Nations, Inuit, Métis, urban and 2SLGBTQI+ People through its annual Call for Proposals. In fiscal year 2023-24, the Program provided $1.2M in funding to Métis-led violence prevention projects.

Between fiscal years 2021-22 and 2023-24, $107 million was allocated for Indigenous Services Canada to fund the operations of new shelters and transition homes and to support violence prevention activities. As of April 2024, Indigenous Services Canada spent 100% of its allocation. Of the $107 million the department has spent, $76.7 million has gone to programs and services for Indigenous people facing gender-based violence, and $30.3 million on initial operational costs ($9.3 million) and project development ($21 million).

As of April 2024, during the 2023-24 fiscal year the program has spent a total of $43.5 million in violence prevention under the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy.

In 2023-24, the Family Violence Prevention Program supported a project to increase awareness of violence against Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and build partnerships to help implement the 231 Calls for Justice and the Kepek-Quebec 21 Calls for Justice through a culturally supportive approach. The project includes an Education and Awareness Coordinator to undertake education and awareness activities and develop partnerships around Family Violence Prevention and the Calls for Justice. In addition, the project included distinctions-based Grandmother supports.

Another activity included increasing access to land-based healing practices for Indigenous women, youth and children to support their healing from the impacts of violence. The programming supports holistic health and wellbeing by providing the opportunity for community members to: reconnect to culture and community, including elders and traditional knowledge holders; process and heal trauma in a culturally safe and supportive environment; and strengthen knowledge and confidence in their identities as Indigenous people.

Further, another project supports a youth-founded Indigenous organization to undertake arts-based programming, outreach and service delivery, community mobilization, and culture. The project seeks to empower young women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ youth while simultaneously engaging young men and boys in the prevention of family, intimate and gender-based violence through healing circles and support groups, land-based activities, culturally appropriate mental health and addiction supports, educational workshops and arts-based awareness programming.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Funding Amount: $724.1M/5 years and $96.6M ongoing
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada; Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak; Assembly of First Nations' Women's Council; National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence; National Family and Survivors Circle; Urban partners; 2SLGBTQQIA+ partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 19, 23, 25
Related Calls for Justice: 3.4, 4.7, 7.3, 16.19, 16.29, 17.20, 17.23

In 2022-23, the Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Relations Unit in CIRNAC launched an open Call for Proposals and approved 23 proposals, which were mostly comprised of 3-5 year projects.

In fiscal year 2023-24 the total of funded projects reached 31 with a total of $30.2 million committed (90%) supporting projects across the country with grassroots organizations including with 6 2SLGBTQI+ organizations.

The department will continue a targeted call for proposals over fiscal year 2024-25 undertaking seeking to support new or emerging grassroots organizations with a focus on 2SLGBTQI+ and rural/remote organizations across the country.

In fall 2025, the department will launch an open national call for proposals with funding for up to 5 years available starting in 2026-27.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $36.3M/5 years and $8.6M ongoing
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: National, regional and local Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations; other federal departments; provincial and territorial governments
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 7, 8
Related Calls for Justice: N/A

Expanding support for the Indigenous Justice Program (IJP) will help maintain the availability of Indigenous-led community justice programs. These programs provide safe, responsive and culturally-relevant Indigenous and restorative justice programming in communities, including prevention-related programming.

The expanded support for IJP program integrity, victims training and civil and family mediation responds directly to Calls for Justice 1.8, 5.6, 5.11, 5.16 and 17.27, which call for the development of programming related to violence prevention; the development of adequate, reliable, culturally relevant and accessible victim services to support Indigenous victims of crime; community-based and Indigenous-specific options for sentencing and restorative justice; and rehabilitation programs specific to Métis needs and cultural realities. The funding also responds to Call for Miskotahâ 41 which calls for action to eliminate the overrepresentation of Métis people in custody.

To date, 40 existing Indigenous Justice Program community-based justice programs received Civil and Family Mediation funds to address community and family conflicts and prevent their escalation, including those involving at-risk youth. These funds also provide opportunities for parents to resolve their disputes, including custody arrangements, more peacefully. In 2023-24, approximately $2.8M has been committed to civil and family mediation services and programming. Additionally, 10 projects were funded for Trauma Informed Victims Training through an approximate total of $797K, committed to the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Examples of this include the following:

• Civil & Family Mediation (First Nations): Tl'azt'en Nation will create a new Family Healing Liaison position to provide mediation and conflict resolution for families and community members in the Tl'azt'en Nation that is culturally-relevant and responsive to the ongoing social factors that impact the overall community wellbeing. The Family Healing Liaison will be trained to mediate between families in conflict; provide support and referrals for those in need of services; and facilitate healing initiatives for those impacted by trauma, crime, separation, grief, and more. This person will work alongside the current Justice Coordinator and develop working relations with other violence prevention sectors such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Corrections, Fireweed Safe Haven for Women, Nechako Valley Community Services, and Victim Services.
• Civil & Family Mediation (Métis): The Manitoba Métis Federation received funding to develop a new service for Métis citizens in Manitoba who require support and access to Mediation Services. The project will focus on providing mediation services in Child and Family Mediation. It will assist clients who require culturally-responsive mediation services to develop a plan to resolve key conflicts within their family.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: $13.6M over 3 years (Program Integrity) and $6.8M over 3 years (Civil and Family Mediation)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Indigenous community partners, Provincial and Territorial delivery partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 41
Related Calls for Justice: 5.6, 5.11, 5.16, 17.27

The Government of Canada recognizes the need for an independent oversight body to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan.

As noted in the 2022-23 Federal Annual Progress Report, there was a Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada led pre-engagement process along with a contracted process, through an Indigenous company, which continued this engagement to develop an oversight mechanism. The final report, MMIWG Envisioning Transformational Change, Engagement on Oversight Body and Mechanism, was provided in spring 2023 and shared with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories. Throughout 2023-24, CIRNAC has continued to analyze the report in the context of progress on other Calls for Justice in order to move forward with its recommendations.

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $2.2 million over five years
Funding Source: Budget 2023
Partners: Indigenous organizations
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: N/A