La population canadienne s’attend à vivre dans une société dotée d’un système de justice pénale qui est équitable, impartial et qui répond aux besoins des victimes.

“The Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council makes a positive difference in the lives of Indigenous women, gender diverse people and their families in the Yukon and northern British Columbia. The Government of Canada’s financial support contributes to meaningful services for Indigenous communities and helps ensure that Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples moves forward.”

The Honourable Arif Virani, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

I had the opportunity to meet with the Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council, engaging in an important discussion during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. With the Government of Canada’s financial support for YAWC’s projects, Indigenous women and the families of missing and murdered Indigenous people will have access to culturally appropriate and Indigenous-informed plans and services tailored to their needs.

Brendan Hanley
Member of Parliament for Yukon

The Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council (YAWC) is honored to continue our crucial work, with support from Justice Canada. We are actively developing a YAWC-specific UNDRIP Action Plan and expanding our MMIWG2S+ family, victim, and survivor supports to better serve Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people throughout the Yukon and northern BC. These initiatives highlight our dedication to enhancing the well-being and resilience of our communities for many years to come.”

Terri Szabo, President
Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council

• The Indigenous Partnership Fund supports ongoing consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) and measures included in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan.

• The UN Declaration Act became law in June 2021. This act creates a lasting, whole of government framework to implement the UN Declaration at the federal level in Canada.

• The UN Declaration Act Action Plan contains specific measures to uphold the individual and collective rights of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, including but not limited to: 

  • Shared Priorities Measure 9, on ending systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people; 
  • Shared Priorities Measure 10 to 13 (including protecting Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals from coerced sterilization); 
  • Shared Priorities Measure 69 & 70, including supporting Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ grassroots organizations; 
  • Shared Priorities Measure 77, on increasing Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship; and 
  • Shared Priorities Measure 99, on MMIWG and support for Indigenous-led cultural initiatives.

• The Victims Fund - Community Support and Healing for Families initiative supports culturally responsive, trauma-informed community-based services for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

• Funding for these projects will support the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance reconciliation and respond to the  MMIWG National Inquiry Final Report’s Calls for Justice 1.7 and 3.1,  and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (CTAs), namely CTAs 40 and 43. These projects will also align with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.

  • Call for Justice 1.7 calls upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, to establish a National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson, with authority in all jurisdictions, and to establish a National Indigenous and Human Rights Tribunal.
  • Call for Justice 3.1 calls upon all governments to ensure that the rights to health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples, and specifically of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, are recognized and protected on an equitable basis.
  • CTA 40 calls for the creation of adequately funded and accessible Indigenous-specific victims’ programs and services.
  • CTA 43 calls for the full adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation.

Associated links

• Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council
• Indigenous Partnership Fund
• Victims Fund
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan
• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan
• Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

For more information, media may contact:

Chantalle Aubertin
Deputy Director, Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
613-992-6568
Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca

Anna Barley
Interim Executive Director
director@yawc.ca
867-689-1149

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