2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations

Published purpose

Through this 59-month project, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations will increase their ability to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) against Indigenous women, girls, or 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, with a focus on 2-Spirited people, Indigenous women, girls, female-identifying, 2SLGBTQ+ people, including those living on a low-income, in Toronto. This will be achieved by conducting a needs assessment, designing GBV training resources, strengthening, and expanding their organizational network, and mentoring and coaching 2-Spirit staff, community members, and new and existing partners on GBV prevention. This project will engage the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC) and other community partners to improve networks and develop tools and policy around GBV prevention. By the end of the project, 2-Spirits People of the 1st Nations will have strengthened their capacity to prevent GBV against Indigenous women, girls, female-identifying and 2SLGBTQ+ people, with a focus on 2-Spirited people. With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations will 1) develop and pilot an internal Train the Trainer model to build in house GBV training capacity, incorporating staff feedback to refine the training tools; and 2) review, update, and implement internal GBV related policies and materials informed by Phase I and internal pilot testing to support continuous improvement and safer practices. Through this they will further advance Gender Equality.