FSIN Women's Commission gets funds for new program

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The Government of Canada has contributed nearly $100,000 to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Women's Commission for a project called "Kikawimaw askiy: Bringing Back to Where We Once Were."

On May 19, Ralph Goodale, minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana, announced that the Women's Commission would receive $98, 418 for the project, designed to help build community capacity to reduce violence perpetrated against Aboriginal girls and women.

The commission will work with local communities to examine factors such as poverty, homelessness, addictions, discrimination, family violence and race-based violence, which can put Aboriginal girls and women at risk of becoming victims of violence. Work will also be done to help communities come up with strategies to prevent abuse and help victims of abuse begin to heal.

"The FSIN committee deserves a big congratulations," said Diane MacDonald from the federal government's National Crime Prevention Strategy, which is providing just over $50,000 of the funding for the project. "I think in general it would be fair to say that a federal government's priority is Aboriginal communities and changing the conditions that exist there."

According to MacDonald, the Women's Commission was established to address violence and substance abuse and the needs of children and families. The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) has worked to establish a partnership with the commission to support them in building community capacity.

The (NCPS) focuses on preventing crime and victimization through social development strategies. The NCPS is a national program based on the principle of youth and children being a priority group because of their vulnerability.

"Theses kids have to battle racism, unequal access to resources and an unforgettable history," said MacDonald. "It's in the public's interest to increase the safety and security of Aboriginal women and children."