Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities Inc.

Published purpose

Through this 61-month project, Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities Inc. (EIWFSC) will increase its ability to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV) against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, with a focus on Peer Facilitators and Youth in the rural areas around Stephenville, NL. This will be achieved by building a strong organizational governance structure: developing a clear set of policies and procedures, by-laws and constitution, and a strategic plan. The project will aim to build the capacity of both the board of directors and Indigenous men and women Peer Facilitators from a leadership development perspective, and to foster collaborative working relationships between these groups and the Indigenous community. EIWFSC will also engage with Indigenous youth to develop a Lateral Violence training program. All of these initiatives are to be carried out through a GBA Plus lens, especially where community consultation and project delivery are concerned. At the end of the project, EIWFSC will have strengthened their capacity to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, with a focus on peer-to-peer learning and leadership development in Indigenous men and youth. Supplemental funds were provided in early 2023 to allow EIWFSC to train and support Peer Facilitators in Labrador, NL. Additional supplemental funds and an extension were provided in early 2026, to further strengthen sector and community capacity to address GBV. To do so, EIWFSC will develop and deliver a presentation on lateral kindness principles, have the Peer Facilitators deliver the Lateral Kindness workshop across Newfoundland and Labrador, host a Leadership and Wellness Gathering for Indigenous women and workshop participants, and facilitate camps for youth and adults to promote healthy and safe communities.