2023-24 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 3.1 - 3.7: Health & Wellness

Stream Three of the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program component seeks to ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people have access to meaningful sports, recreational, and physical activities that will improve their overall health and wellness. This initiative is linked to Call for Justice 3.1 by exclusively providing funding for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples to create more opportunities for these individuals to participate in sports activities that positively impact their self-identified health and wellness goals. Projects must propose activities that create opportunities for Indigenous women, girls, and/or 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in sport, which address one or more of the five Stream Three social development goals: physical and mental health; suicide prevention; sexual trafficking awareness and prevention; safe and healthy relationships; and sexual positivity (2SLGBTQI+).

In the inaugural year of this funding (2022–23) $2.5 million was made available to the Provincial Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies so that they could commence, only for that fiscal year, sport programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples in their jurisdictions. Reaching 900 participants across the province in 2022–23 including First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-status women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. Programming was offered from ages 7 and up; the oldest participants were around 65.

• 10 applications were received.
• 10 recipients received project funding covering multi-distinction groups for project delivery in AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NU, ON, PEI, and QC.

Through the intake for 2023–24 projects, which was launched in early 2023, the program funding supported a total of 1.25 million for the Provincial Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies sport programming for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples in their jurisdictions:

• 10 applications were received.
• 10 recipients received project funding covering multi-distinction groups for project delivery in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
• $2.5 million in funding was available in an open call for proposals to all eligible organizations across the country.
• 145 applications were received.
• 37 recipients received project funding.

The regional breakdown of projects funded:

• Western (AB, BC, SK)- 13
• Eastern (NL, NS, NB, PEI)- 4
• Central (MB, ON, QC)-13
• Northern (NU, NWT, YK)- 6
• 1 multi regional recipient for AB and QC

Distinctions-based allocation:

• 26 recommended applications serve First Nation communities.
• 5 recommended applications serve Inuit communities.
• 1 recommended application serves a Métis community.
• 6 recommended applications serve a combination of these distinction groups.

Lead Department: Canadian Heritage
Funding Amount: $14.3M/5 years and $2.9M ongoing
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Indigenous consultant firm; National stakeholders; Aboriginal Sport Circle; National Indigenous Organizations; National Indigenous Women's Organizations; Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies; Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ representative organizations
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: 7.3

The Co-development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation initiative partially responds to Call for Justice 3.1 by providing funding to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners, including organizations that represent Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in engagement and co-development processes related to Indigenous health and wellness. Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation also partially responds to Calls for Miskotahâ 9c, 53, 56, and 57 through engagement and co-development discussions with Métis partners, including Métis women, Elders, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, for which access to traditional health, and intergenerational trauma and mental health services were identified as key priorities. Partner input from these discussions will be used to inform potential approaches towards fostering health systems that respect and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.

As of December 2023, the Co-Development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation has funded 26 national and regional First Nations partners, 6 national and regional Inuit partners, 10 national and regional Métis partners, 4 urban Indigenous organizations, and 3 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous organizations to support engagement and co-development activities. Indigenous Health Legislation funding supported the following:

• From 2021 to 2022, partners engaged with their communities to produce a total of 42 engagement reports, which informed the What we Heard Report, released in January 2023;
• From Fall 2022 to June 2023, 14 distinctions-based co-development tables were created, where partners participated in co-development discussions; information sharing with partners that did not participate in the co-development process; and
• From August to September 2023, partners provided input on a Key Elements document, which outlined potential legislative elements based on key themes and partner feedback, through 27 discussions and 39 written submissions.

The engagement and co-development processes for Distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation helped identify key areas of interest for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. A key theme discussed during the intersectional table discussions included inclusivity of and safe spaces for Indigenous peoples with unique needs. This feedback was used to inform the Key Elements document.

Indigenous Services Canada continues to analyze feedback from partners on the Key Elements document and is now reflecting on options that would provide more time and transparency to the process and move forward in a meaningful way, based on partners' readiness and ongoing engagement.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $15.6M/2 years
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: National First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations; Regional First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations and governments; Self-Governing and Modern-Treaty Holders; Indigenous Women, urban, youth, 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations (intersectional groups); Indigenous Health Professional Associations; Provinces and Territories; Outreach to academics, legal scholars, and knowledge keepers; Outreach to the general public
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 9c, 53, 56, 57
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.6

Among its measures, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) Action Plan commits the Government of Canada to continue implementing the Federal Pathway to:

• address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• develop a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy to expand culturally relevant gender-based supports for Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQI+ people facing gender-based violence
• develop culturally appropriate solutions for people seeking to escape abusive environments

More than 10 measures in the Action Plan focus on upholding the rights, priorities and interests of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. These measures cover a variety of issues related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people such as systemic racism, oversight, accountability, self-determination, land, natural resources, civil and political rights, and participation in decision-making. Seven of these measures address the protection of rights to health and wellness of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 9: Ending systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. This measure is led by various departments.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 10: MMIWG and the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This measure is led by various departments.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 12: Safe and secure resource development for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This measure is led by Natural Resources Canada.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 13: Ending coerced sterilization. This measure is led by Justice Canada.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 56: National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking. This measure is led by Public Safety Canada.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 59: RCMP National Office of Investigative Standards and Practices. This measure is led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Shared Priority Action Plan measure 99: MMIWG and support for Indigenous-led cultural initiatives. This measure is led by Canadian Heritage.

The Action Plan was developed through a two-phased broad and inclusive consultation and cooperation process with Indigenous peoples, launched in December 2021, to better understand and integrate their priorities into the Action Plan. The voices of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, Elders, youth and Indigenous people with disabilities were an important part of this process. During Phase I of the engagement process, a total of 283 consultation and cooperation sessions were held between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, involving 123 Indigenous partners. During Phase II of the process, which aimed at validating measures and identifying gaps in the draft action plan, over 100 bilateral meetings, thematic sessions and roundtables were held.

Lead Department: Justice Canada
Funding Amount: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada andJustice Canada $31.5M/2 years (Budget 2021), Justice Canada and Natural Resources Canada $65.8 million over 5 years, starting in 2022–23, and $11 million ongoing (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021 and Budget 2022
Partners: First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights holders, including modern treaty signatories and self-governing nations and historic treaty partners; National and regional Indigenous representative organizations; Indigenous women; Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Clan Mothers; Youth; Persons with disabilities; 2SLGBTQI+ people; Urban Indigenous people; Indigenous organizations and groups industry associations; Provincial and territorial partners
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: N/A
Related Calls for Justice: (1.2v, 2.1, 3.1)

Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems initiatives partially responds to the Calls for Miskotahâ 6 and 19 by funding community-based health and wellness projects which are developing and implementing training, education, accreditation requirements and other tools and resources to ensure that health care professionals and health systems are culturally safe and responsive for the unique circumstances of all Indigenous Peoples, including Métis. By advancing cultural competency training and safety in community-based settings, healthcare professionals can become better equipped in understanding and respecting the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients. This can help create trust between Indigenous Peoples and healthcare providers and ensure that Indigenous women can receive trauma-informed care, support and wellness services when needed. As such, the projects funded under this initiative are improving access to equitable healthcare by addressing the barriers to safe and quality healthcare for Indigenous Peoples, supporting the well-being of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ Peoples.

Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems initiatives responds to Call for Justice 3.2 and Calls for Miskotahâ: 6 and 19 by funding Indigenous communities and organizations to expand Indigenous midwifery and doula education pathways, create new services and infrastructure. An increase in Indigenous midwifery and doula services represents an increase in access to culturally safe reproductive care.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Health Canada
Funding Amount: $111.8M/3 years (ISC); $14.9M/3 years (Health Canada)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: 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: 1.8, 3.4, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7

The Co-development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation initiative partially responds to Call for Justice 3.2 by providing funding to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners to participate in engagement and co-development processes related to Indigenous health and wellness. Although the initiative has not yet led to additional funding for services, the engagement and co-development processes allowed for partners to identify priorities for health and wellness services to inform future investments. A key theme discussed during the engagement and co-development processes included sustainable, flexible, and predictable funding that would allow for Indigenous communities to have greater control over the delivery of health services. Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation also partially responds to Calls for Miskotahâ 9c, 53, 56, and 57 through engagement and co-development discussions with Métis partners, including Métis women, Elders, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, who identified funding for access to traditional health and mental health services as a key priority. Partner input from these discussions will be used to inform potential approaches towards fostering health systems that respect and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.

Beginning in 2021 and as of December 2023, the Co-Development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation has funded 26 national and regional First Nations partners, 6 national and regional Inuit partners, 10 national and regional Métis partners, 4 urban Indigenous organizations, and 3 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous organizations. Indigenous Health Legislation funding supported partner participation in engagement and co-development processes, including discussions and the creation of written submissions. More information on engagements and participants is available in the national summary report, What We Heard: Visions for Distinctions-based Indigenous Health Legislation.

The engagement and co-development processes for Distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation helped identify key areas of interest for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Funding, health human resources, urban health services, and self-determination in the delivery of health services were key priority areas identified during engagement and co-development. From August to September 2023, Indigenous partners provided input on a Key Elements document, informed by engagement and co-development discussions, which outlined potential legislative elements for the Co-Development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation. During this time, ISC facilitated 27 discussions and received 39 written submissions from partners.

Indigenous Services Canada continues to analyze feedback from partners on the Key Elements document and is now reflecting on options that would provide more time and transparency to the process and move forward in a meaningful way, based on partners' readiness and ongoing engagement.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $15.6M/2 years
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: National First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations; Regional First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations and governments; Self-Governing and Modern-Treaty Holders; Indigenous Women, urban, youth, 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations (intersectional groups); Indigenous Health Professional Associations; Provinces and Territories; Outreach to academics, legal scholars, and knowledge keepers; Outreach to the public
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 9c, 53, 56, 57
Related Calls for Justice: 3.1, 3.6

The Government of Canada has made significant recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities, with Budget 2021 and 2022 investments contributing to an annual investment of approximately $650 million in 2023–24. These investments respond to Call for Justice 3.2 as they are made to meet the immediate mental wellness needs of communities by supporting Indigenous-led suicide prevention, life promotion and crisis response, including through crisis line intervention services, enhancing the delivery of culturally appropriate substance use treatment and prevention services in Indigenous communities, and supporting access to trauma-informed mental health and cultural support programs. In recognition of the unique circumstances and needs of the Métis in Canada, a historic investment was made through the Budget 2021 investment, in which $30 million over three years was provided for Métis mental wellness. This investment has supported Métis partners to implement mental wellness strategies or health strategies with mental wellness components, as well as provide direct mental wellness service delivery. The Budget 2021 investments for Métis and continued support for access to trauma-informed health and cultural supports to Métis help address Call for Miskotahâ 53.

Investments through the Support for Comprehensive Approaches to Mental Wellness, Including Distinctions-Based Approaches, Indigenous Services Canada continues to fund community-based trauma-informed health and cultural support workers to expand and maintain access to a network of health and wellness services accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers), to all Indigenous People.

Indigenous Services Canada supports several initiatives related to mental wellness, including direct community-led approaches. While not project based, funding through this initiative includes:

• Ongoing support for a network of 45 substance use treatment centers, as well as community-based prevention services in most of the First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada.
• Supporting wraparound services (e.g., on-the-land components, prevention, case management, counselling, aftercare) at 82 opioid agonist therapy sites supporting over 100 communities in addition to the pharmacotherapy provided for opioid use disorder. An increased number of multi-disciplinary, community-designed and culturally focused local Mental Wellness Teams. There are currently 75 Mental Wellness Teams supporting 385 First Nations and Inuit communities (excluding British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority).
• The Hope for Wellness Helpline offering culturally competent crisis intervention services, and expanded chat-based service option, in addition to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, and the MMIWG Crisis Line. Together, the three crisis lines responded to over 66,178 calls between April 1st and December 31st, 2023.
• Support for essential suicide prevention and life promotion activities, including community-based suicide prevention funding, First Nations and Inuit youth-led life promotion projects through the Youth Hope Fund, and the implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In 2023-24:

• Funding was provided to maintain community-based trauma-informed programs for Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools.
• Indigenous Services Canada continued relationship building with Métis including funding Métis-specific mental wellness interventions in recognition of their unique circumstances and needs. These efforts are funded with Budget 2021 Distinctions Based Mental Wellness investments.

Some examples of funded projects through this initiative include:

• Thunderbird Partnership Foundation enhancing the Addictions Management Information System for treatment centres and pilot a project with First Nations communities to support them in better capturing data and outcomes in Mental Wellness.
• First Peoples Wellness Circle being funded to design and deliver a suite of comprehensive tools and resources to support regional Mental Wellness and Crisis Support Teams and provide a platform to share evidence, best practices and resources to improve access to essential services in First Nation communities
• We Matter, an Indigenous youth-led organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion, received funding for youth-led community projects, effective social media campaigns and toolkits to support youth in overcoming challenging situations.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $597.6M/3 years (Budget 2021); $107.2M in 2021-22 (August 2021); $227.6M / 2 years (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Community-based organizations; Health providers; non-indigenous organizations; Organizations representing urban Indigenous, Métis, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and Indigenous youth
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 53
Related Calls for Justice: 3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 7.2, 7.3, 17.4

Recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities, advance Call for Justice 3.3 by funding community-based trauma-informed health and cultural support workers to expand and maintain access to a network of health and wellness services accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers), to all Indigenous People. In recognition of the unique circumstances and needs of Métis in Canada, a historic investment was made through the Budget 2021 investment, in 2021in which $30 million over three years was provided for Métis mental wellness. This investment has supported Métis partners to implement mental wellness strategies or health strategies with mental wellness components, as well as provide direct mental wellness service delivery. The Budget 2021 investments for Métis and continued support for access to trauma-informed health and cultural supports to Métis help address Call for Miskotahâ 53.

Through this initiative, Indigenous Services Canada supports several initiatives related to mental wellness, including direct community-led approaches. While not project based, funding through this initiative includes:

• Ongoing support for a network of 45 substance use treatment centers, as well as community-based prevention services in most of the First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada.
• Supporting wraparound services (e.g., on-the-land components, prevention, case management, counselling, aftercare) at 82 opioid agonist therapy sites supporting over 100 communities in addition to the pharmacotherapy provided for opioid use disorder. An increased number of multi-disciplinary, community-designed and culturally focused local Mental Wellness Teams. There are currently 75 Mental Wellness Teams supporting 385 First Nations and Inuit communities (excluding British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority).
• The Hope for Wellness Helpline offering culturally competent crisis intervention services, and expanded chat-based service option, in addition to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, and the MMIWG Crisis Line. Together, the three crisis lines responded to over 66,178 calls between April 1st and December 31st, 2023.
• Support for essential suicide prevention and life promotion activities, including community-based suicide prevention funding, First Nations and Inuit youth-led life promotion projects through the Youth Hope Fund, and the implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In 2023-24:

• Funding was provided to maintain community-based trauma-informed programs for Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools.
• Indigenous Services Canada continued relationship building with Métis including funding Métis-specific mental wellness interventions in recognition of their unique circumstances and needs. These efforts are funded with Budget 2021 Distinctions Based Mental Wellness investments.
• Between April 1st, 2023, and December 31st, 2023, the Hope for Wellness Helpline, National Indian Residential School Crisis Line and MMIWG Crisis Line responded to over 66,178 calls.

Some examples of funded projects through this initiative include:

• Thunderbird Partnership Foundation enhancing the Addictions Management Information System for treatment centres and pilot a project with First Nations communities to support them in better capturing data and outcomes in Mental Wellness.
• First Peoples Wellness Circle being funded to design and deliver a suite of comprehensive tools and resources to support regional Mental Wellness and Crisis Support Teams and provide a platform to share evidence, best practices and resources to improve access to essential services in First Nation communities
• We Matter, an Indigenous youth-led organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion, received funding for youth-led community projects, effective social media campaigns and toolkits to support youth in overcoming challenging situations.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $597.6M/3 years (Budget 2021); $107.2M in 2021–22 (August 2021); $227.6M / 2 years (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Community-based organizations; Health providers; non-indigenous organizations; Organizations representing urban Indigenous, Métis, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and Indigenous youth
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 53
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 7.2, 7.3, 17.4

The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative responds in part to Call for Justice 3.4 by supporting Indigenous communities in achieving their safety and wellness goals through coordinated outreach and by providing holistic services to improve community safety. The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative provides this support in part by hosting virtual and in-person Communities of Practice, which provides an open and supportive forum for communities involved with the program to engage in networking, sharing of best practices, capacity building and knowledge development.

This initiative also supports Call for Miskotahâ 8 through community-led strategies to eliminate social and economic barriers that create disparities among Indigenous Peoples, including Métis women as well as Call for Miskotahâ 23, in funding community-led, culturally based programs and services to Indigenous Peoples, including Métis women and children. In doing so, it also supports Call for Miskotahâ 62 through supporting the delivery of community-based reconciliation activities to promote safe Indigenous communities.

In 2022–23, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative sponsored and hosted a gathering of Indigenous communities with Community Safety Plans (CSPs) in Toronto, Ontario. The in-person meeting focused on mental wellness in community safety planning grounded in Indigenous culture and approaches and was attended by 120 representatives from Indigenous communities across the country with the inclusion of a virtual component for participation.

In September 2023, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative hosted approximately 47 participants representing approximately 18 communities with CSPs to attend a virtual Community of Practice gathering. The event provided a forum for information-sharing, to hear about best practices and share success stories based on the theme Indigenous Culture and Language: Successes in Safety Planning. A second virtual gathering took place in January 2024 centered around the topic of engaging youth in community safety planning with 56 participants representing Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada. In March 2024, an in-person regional gathering of Indigenous community safety planners from British Columbia and Yukon occurred in Kelowna, B.C. The event was attended by approximately 58 participants, and was centered around community safety planning, and mental health and wellness from the perspective of Indigenous culture. Further Communities of Practice are planned for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

In 2023–24, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative continued to move forward in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada Ontario and Indigenous Services Canada Atlantic on testing a joint Community Safety Plan and Comprehensive Community Plan delivery process.

Lead Department: Public Safety
Funding Amount: $6.27 (Fall Economic Statement 2020) + $64.6M/5 years (Budget 2021) and $18.1M ongoing
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020, BBudget 2021
Partners: Public Safety Regional Offices; Federal, Provincial and Territorial government departments responsible for crime prevention, community safety and wellbeing; Canadian universities, educational institutions/boards of education, and Centres of excellence; Indigenous communities and organizations; and Local governments and service providers.
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 8, 23, 62
Related Calls for Justice: 3.5, 5.5iv

Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems initiatives partially responds to the Calls for Miskotahâ 6 and 19 by funding community-based projects which are developing and implementing training, education, accreditation requirements and other tools and resources to ensure that health care professionals and health systems are culturally safe and responsive for the unique circumstances of all Indigenous Peoples, including Métis. By advancing cultural competency training and safety in community-based settings, healthcare professionals can become better equipped in understanding and respecting the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients. This can help create trust between Indigenous Peoples and healthcare providers and ensure that Indigenous women can receive trauma-informed and holistic care when needed. As such, the projects funded under this initiative are improving access to preventative healthcare by addressing the barriers to safe and quality healthcare for Indigenous Peoples, supporting the well-being of Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ Peoples.

Funding for Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems partially, and indirectly responds to Call for Justice 3.4 and Calls for Miskotahâ 6 and 19 by funding Indigenous organizations to hire health system navigators and patient advocates. Although health system navigators and patient advocates, are not mental health care providers per se, their work does provide Indigenous patients with targeted preventative, wrap around supports and recourses that help them safely navigate health systems and reduce racism and stereotyping towards Indigenous patients. As of December 2023, approximately 94 health system navigators and 19 patient advocates have been hired across Canada to support Indigenous patients, including Métis women.

Health system navigators and patient advocates provide resources and supports that are preventive and holistic in nature as they are focused on helping Indigenous patients safely navigator health systems in culturally safe ways to help ensure they receive the services they need. Multiple health system navigator and patient advocate programs were implemented in 2023–24 in First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities including:

• 22 health system navigators across Canada supported by the National Association of Friendship Centers to help urban Indigenous patients to navigate health systems
• 3 health system navigators hired by the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
• Multiple patient advocate and health system projects supported by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for Inuit patients in Nunavut
• A patient advocate and health system navigator hired by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation for Inuit patients in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
• Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services health system navigator project to support Inuit patients in Nunavik
• 15 Indigenous Health System Navigators hired in First Nation communities across Atlantic Region

Examples of projects that are in progress include:

• Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is currently working to establish an Inuit Ombudsperson Office that will provide advocacy and recourse supports that are culturally safe and Inuit-focused.
• The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation developed a Cultural Safety project to provide medical escorts to Inuvialuit.
• The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations created the first ever First Nations Health Ombudsperson Office in Saskatchewan. The Ombudsperson Office improves supports and accountability by providing a point of contact to report concerns related to access to health services and incidences of discrimination when accessing health services in Saskatchewan. The office works with patients towards resolution and system change.

Indigenous patient advocates respond to Calls for Miskotahâ 6 and 19 by supporting Métis women who are victims of violence to receive patient advocacy services that are culturally competent, culturally safe and trauma-informed. Further, funding for anti-Indigenous racism supports Indigenous-led cultural safety and competency training for health service providers and ensures that health service providers are trained in Métis culture and histories to better understand the unique circumstances of Métis women and girls. Examples of projects that respond to Calls for Miskotahâ 6 and 19 are:

• Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) is working towards developing Naomi's Principle in response to a Métis member who passed away at a treatment facility in British Columbia that was not culturally safe. MNBC worked with the BC Ministry of Health to hold a Métis Health Gathering to enhance connections with front-line health authority staff in British Columbia, mental health and substance use teams, and patient complaint and quality office teams. Métis 101 training was developed and delivered to senior leadership of Vancouver Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Interior Health and Community Living BC. This training focused on Métis culture and history, the impact of colonization on overall health and wellness of Métis across Canada, and Métis health priorities.
• Métis Nation of Alberta ( MNA) trained MNA anti-Indigenous racism health system navigators and advocates in trauma-informed care, cultural safety and motivational interviewing. In addition, MNA navigators received and completed 764 requests from Métis citizens in 2022–2023.
• 2 patient advocates hired by the Métis Nation of Ontario.

Health Canada provided $100,000 in funding to the Métis National Council for their project titled "Métis Nation Dialogue on Mental Health and Cannabis" in 2023–24. The recipient aimed to collect Métis Peoples' perspectives and understanding of mental health and cannabis. The project would seek information on how cannabis, and mental health and wellness, is perceived in Métis communities; identify potential research and knowledge exchange regarding how cannabis impacts mental health and wellness in the Métis context; identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities to work in partnership with the Métis Nation; and identify the health and wellness needs and priorities of the Métis Nation. The recipient's progress report is currently pending.

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak received $100,000 in funding to advance its efforts in exploring the perspectives of Métis women on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and Mental Illness in 2022–23. The recipient organized national level, in-person focus groups engaging Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Métis to gather insights on Métis-specific perspectives on Medical Assistance in Dying where a mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition. This was supplemented by a virtual validation session to incorporate additional feedback for the development of a comprehensive "What We Heard" report. This report, along with recommendations for action, is currently pending.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada; Health Canada
Funding Amount: $111.8M/3 years (ISC); $14.9M/3 years (Health Canada)
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: 1.8, 3.2, 3.4, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7

The Government of Canada has made significant recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities. These investments respond to Call for Justice 7.2 as they are made to meet the immediate mental wellness needs of communities by supporting Indigenous-led suicide prevention, life promotion and crisis response, including through crisis line intervention services, enhancing the delivery of culturally appropriate substance use treatment and prevention services in Indigenous communities, and supporting access to trauma-informed mental health and cultural support programs. In recognition of the unique circumstances and needs of Métis in Canada, a historic investment was made through the Budget 2021 investment, in which $30 million over three years was provided for Métis mental wellness. This investment has supported Métis partners to implement mental wellness strategies or health strategies with mental wellness components, as well as provide direct mental wellness service delivery. The Budget 2021 investments for Métis and continued support for access to trauma-informed health and cultural supports to Métis help address Call for Miskotahâ 53.

These investments continue to fund community-based trauma-informed health and cultural support workers to expand and maintain access to a network of health and wellness services accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers), to all Indigenous People.

Indigenous Services Canada supports several initiatives related to mental wellness, including direct community-led approaches. While not project based, funding from the Government of Canada includes:

• Ongoing support for a network of 45 substance use treatment centres, as well as community-based prevention services in most First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada.
• Supporting wraparound services (e.g., on-the-land components, prevention, case management, counselling, aftercare) at 82 opioid agonist therapy sites supporting over 100 communities in addition to the pharmacotherapy provided for opioid use disorder. An increased number of multi-disciplinary, community-designed and culturally focused local Mental Wellness Teams. There are currently 75 Mental Wellness Teams supporting 385 First Nations and Inuit communities (excluding British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority).
• The Hope for Wellness Helpline offering culturally competent crisis intervention services, and expanded chat-based service option, in addition to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, and the MMIWG Crisis Line. Together, the three crisis lines responded to over 66,178 calls between April 1st and December 31st, 2023.
• Support for essential suicide prevention and life promotion activities, including community-based suicide prevention funding, First Nations and Inuit youth-led life promotion projects through the Youth Hope Fund, and the implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In 2023–24:

• Funding was provided to maintain community-based trauma-informed programs for Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools.
• Indigenous Services Canada continued relationship building with Métis including funding Métis-specific mental wellness interventions in recognition of their unique circumstances and needs. These efforts are funded with Budget 2021 Distinctions Based Mental Wellness investments.
• Between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the Hope for Wellness Helpline, National Indian Residential School Crisis Line and MMIWG Crisis Line responded to over 66,178 calls.

Some examples of funded projects through this initiative include:

• Thunderbird Partnership Foundation enhancing the Addictions Management Information System for treatment centres and pilot a project with First Nations communities to support them in better capturing data and outcomes in Mental Wellness.
• First Peoples Wellness Circle being funded to design and deliver a suite of comprehensive tools and resources to support regional Mental Wellness and Crisis Support Teams and provide a platform to share evidence, best practices and resources to improve access to essential services in First Nation communities
• We Matter, an Indigenous youth-led organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion, received funding for youth-led community projects, effective social media campaigns and toolkits to support youth in overcoming challenging situations.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $597.6M/3 years (Budget 2021); $107.2M in 2021–22 (August 2021); $227.6M / 2 years (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Community-based organizations; Health providers; non-indigenous organizations; Organizations representing urban Indigenous, Métis, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and Indigenous youth
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 53
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.3, 3.7, 7.2, 7.3, 17.4

The Family Violence Prevention Program funds 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. The program also provides funding for community-driven proposals for family violence prevention projects. The program also created a second stream of funding 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.

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 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 funded in 2023–24 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.

One additional example of support for Indigenous-led resources is the funding Indigenous Services Canada provides to the National Indigenous Circle Against Family Violence to build the capacity of shelters and transition homes, including mentorship for new shelter staff. The Circle provides practical training, culturally appropriate resources and opportunities to network in a supportive environment. The Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy has been critical in stabilizing funding for shelter-based service providers.

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: 1.8, 4.7, 7.3, 16.19, 16.29, 17.20, 17.23

The work of the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative responds to Call for Justice 3.5, meeting the immediate needs of a community after a traumatic event by providing support, guidance, and resources to affected communities through involvement in Working Groups and coordinated response teams.

This initiative also supports Call for Miskotahâ 8 through community-led strategies to eliminate social and economic barriers that create disparities among Indigenous Peoples, including Métis women as well as Call for Miskotahâ 23, in funding community-led, culturally based programs and services to Indigenous Peoples, including Métis women and children. In doing so, it also supports Call for Miskotahâ 62 through community-based reconciliation activities to promote safe Indigenous communities.

In recent years, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative participated in the response to the James Smith Cree Nation Mass Casualty and is presently engaged with James Smith in the preliminary stages of the Community Safety Planning process. The intention is to develop a community safety strategy with the goal of preventing further trauma to the community and seeing community members heal from these events.

In 2023–24, Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative continued collaboration with Public Safety's Emergency Management and Programs Branch to jointly engage with communities who could see benefits from participation in the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative's Community Safety Plan process.

The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative also leads an inter-departmental Working Group with other federal departments to collaborate on shared priorities including MMIWG2S+, and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Indigenous Justice Strategy. This continuous collaboration engenders a more cohesive whole-of-government response to better meet the diverse needs of communities experiencing conflict and traumatic events.

Lead Department: Public Safety
Funding Amount: $6.27 (Fall Economic Statement 2020) + $64.6M/5 years (Budget 2021) and $18.1M ongoing
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020, Budget 2021
Partners: Public Safety Regional Offices; Federal, Provincial and Territorial government departments responsible for crime prevention, community safety and wellbeing; Canadian universities, educational institutions/boards of education, and Centres of excellence; Indigenous communities and organizations; and, Local governments and service providers.
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 8, 23, 62
Related Calls for Justice: 3.4, 5.5iv

The Co-development of Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation initiative partially responds to Call for Justice 3.6 by providing funding to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners, including organizations that represent Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to participate in engagement and co-development processes related to Indigenous health and wellness. During these processes, gender-based analysis plus considerations were examined and equality in the health system amongst Indigenous individuals with unique needs was discussed. Distinctions-Based Indigenous Health Legislation also partially responds to Calls for Miskotahâ 9c, 53, 56, and 578 through engagement and co-development discussions with Métis partners, including Métis women, Elders, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, which included analyzing gender-based analysis plus considerations.

To date, this initiative has funded 48, regional, subregional, and national First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Intersectional governments and organizations. Indigenous Health Legislation funding also supported partner participation in engagement and co-development processes, including discussions and the creation of written submissions.

The engagement and co-development processes for Distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation helped identify key areas of interest for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and intersectional partners, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Key themes included funding and how funding could be distributed to ensure equality amongst distinctions and within communities. Key themes and partner feedback were used to inform the Key Elements document and gender-based analysis plus considerations.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $15.6M/2 years
Funding Source: Fall Economic Statement 2020
Partners: National First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations; Regional First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations and governments; Self-Governing and Modern-Treaty Holders; Indigenous Women, urban, youth, 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations (intersectional groups); Indigenous Health Professional Associations; Provinces and Territories; Outreach to academics, legal scholars, and knowledge keepers; Outreach to the public
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 9c, 53, 56, 57
Related Calls for Justice: 3.1, 3.2

The Government of Canada has made significant recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities, with Budget 2021 and 2022 investments contributing to an approximate annual investment of approximately $650 million in 2023–24. These investments respond to Call for Justice 3.7 as they are made to meet the immediate mental wellness needs of communities by supporting Indigenous-led suicide prevention, life promotion and crisis response, including through crisis line intervention services, enhancing the delivery of culturally appropriate substance use treatment and prevention services in Indigenous communities, and supporting access to trauma-informed mental health and cultural support programs. In recognition of the unique circumstances and needs of Métis in Canada, a historic investment was made through the Budget 2021 investment, in which $30 million over three years was provided for Métis mental wellness. This investment has supported Métis partners to implement mental wellness strategies or health strategies with mental wellness components, as well as provide direct mental wellness service delivery. The Budget 2021 investments for Métis and continued support for access to trauma-informed health and cultural supports to Métis help address Call for Miskotahâ 53.

These investments continue to fund community-based trauma-informed health and cultural support workers to expand and maintain access to a network of health and wellness services accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools, including access to cultural support (i.e. Elders, Knowledge Holders and Traditional Healers), to all Indigenous people.

Indigenous Services Canada supports several initiatives related to mental wellness, including direct community-led approaches. While not project based, funding from the Government of Canada includes:

• Ongoing support for a network of 45 substance use treatment centres, as well as community-based prevention services in most First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada.
• Supporting wraparound services (e.g., on-the-land components, prevention, case management, counselling, aftercare) at 82 opioid agonist therapy sites supporting over 100 communities in addition to the pharmacotherapy provided for opioid use disorder. An increased number of multi-disciplinary, community-designed and culturally focused local Mental Wellness Teams. There are currently 75 Mental Wellness Teams supporting 385 First Nations and Inuit communities (excluding British Columbia and the First Nations Health Authority).
• The Hope for Wellness Helpline offering culturally competent crisis intervention services, and expanded chat-based service option, in addition to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, and the MMIWG Crisis Line. Together, the three crisis lines responded to over 66,178 calls between April 1st and December 31st, 2023.
• Support for essential suicide prevention and life promotion activities, including community-based suicide prevention funding, First Nations and Inuit youth-led life promotion projects through the Youth Hope Fund, and the implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In 2023-24:

• Funding was provided to maintain community-based trauma-informed programs for Survivors of colonial sources of trauma including MMIWG2S+, Indian Residential Schools and Federal Indian Day Schools.
• Indigenous Services Canada continued relationship building with Métis including funding Métis-specific mental wellness interventions in recognition of their unique circumstances and needs. These efforts are funded with Budget 2021 Distinctions Based Mental Wellness investments.
• Between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the Hope for Wellness Helpline, National Indian Residential School Crisis Line and MMIWG Crisis Line responded to over 66,178 calls.

Some examples of funded projects through this initiative include:

• Thunderbird Partnership Foundation enhancing the Addictions Management Information System for treatment centres and pilot a project with First Nations communities to support them in better capturing data and outcomes in Mental Wellness.
• First Peoples Wellness Circle being funded to design and deliver a suite of comprehensive tools and resources to support regional Mental Wellness and Crisis Support Teams and provide a platform to share evidence, best practices and resources to improve access to essential services in First Nation communities.
• We Matter, an Indigenous youth-led organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion, received funding for youth-led community projects, effective social media campaigns and toolkits to support youth in overcoming challenging situations.

Lead Department: Indigenous Services Canada
Funding Amount: $597.6M/3 years (Budget 2021); $107.2M in 2021–22 (August 2021); $227.6M / 2 years (Budget 2022)
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: Community-based organizations; Health providers; non-indigenous organizations; Organizations representing urban Indigenous, Métis, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and Indigenous youth
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 53
Related Calls for Justice: 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 7.2, 7.3, 17.4

This initiative supports the wellbeing and healing journeys of families and survivors across Canada through project-based funding, provided through an annual Call for Proposals. Responding to the Call for Justice 3.7, the design of this program involved discussions with the National Family and Survivors' Circle regarding eligibility requirements and other factors. To address this call, new Terms and Conditions were created for this program that aim to improve accessibility and remove barriers to support. In response to Calls for Miskotahâ 20, this program funds Indigenous organizations and families, inclusive of the Métis, to engage in healing work. As such, it supports this call in the area of healthcare and child and family welfare.

In 2022–23, the MMIWG Secretariat continued funding 12 projects and opened a new Call for Proposals for the Support for Wellbeing of Families and Survivors Program and approved 10 new multi-year projects and 3 new single-year projects. This year, the MMIWG Secretariat continued funding 10 projects and funded 1 new project totalling 3.5 million. From the projects funded in 2023–2024, one was an Inuit-led project, one was a Métis-led project and the remaining nine were First Nation-led projects.

Some examples of funded projects through this Program include:

Lead Department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Funding Amount: $12.5M/5 years and $2.5M ongoing
Funding Source: Budget 2021
Partners: National Family and Survivors Circle (for design of program); Indigenous grassroots groups; Non-profit organizations; Communities
Related Calls for Miskotahâ: 20
Related Calls for Justice: 5.6, 17.20