Support team to address Indigenous women's safety in downtown Winnipeg

Joseph Guenzler Published May 12, 2025 at 10.00am (AWST)

news

The Manitoba government is funding a new support team to improve safety for Indigenous women in downtown Winnipeg. (Image: Sav Jonsa/APTN)

Canada's Manitoba government is providing more than $350,000 to support Indigenous women in downtown Winnipeg through the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy.

The funding will go to the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) to create a new Indigenous Women's Support Team, announced Sagkeeng Anishinaabe First Nation and Minister responsible for women and gender equity, Nahanni Fontaine.

Ms Fontaine said the initiative strengthens the government's commitment to protecting Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

"This investment is part of our government's commitment to the empowerment and protection of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives, communities who already face disproportionate rates of violence," Ms Fontaine said.

"The new Indigenous Women's Support Team will ensure the people who need them most can access culturally safe and appropriate supports."

Nahanni Fontaine. (Image: WInniepeg Free Press)

Ms Fontaine said the initiative will expand the presence of the DCSP in the city's core and improve how people access services.

"This will increase response times and connections to resources for people in need and provide another layer of safety for community members in downtown Winnipeg," she said.

The DCSP is a non-profit organisation that delivers 24-hour support to vulnerable people and focuses on prevention and long-term solutions.

Its teams are a visible presence downtown, offering health, outreach and safety services to residents, workers and visitors.

DCSP executive director Greg Burnett said the new support team directly addresses community concerns.

"The creation of this Indigenous Women's Support Team was in direct response to community calls for a specialised approach to protecting vulnerable women in downtown Winnipeg," Mr Burnett said.

"This unit will be staffed by Indigenous women who will make sure their response meets the unique needs of the people they serve, keeping everyone safe."

The new team is part of the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag Strategy, meaning 'All Women Doing Well' which sets out a vision for Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people to live freely and safely with opportunity and support.

The strategy is the result of years of advocacy by Indigenous matriarchs, communities and families affected by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and responds to the Final Report's 231 Calls for Justice.