Manitoba helping fund healing village for at-risk Indigenous women, girls

The Manitoba government has promised $3 million in funding to help build a healing village to help at-risk Indigenous women and girls.

Planned by the Indigenous women-led organization, Clan Mothers, the healing village will provide supports for women who have been victims of multi-generational trauma, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

“The healing village will use treatment models that incorporate Indigenous methodologies and we will revisit the long-standing Indigenous matrilineal model of healing,” explained Elder Mae Louise Campbell, co-founder, Clan Mothers Healing Village, in a government news release.

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“As sexual exploitation and trafficking continue to be social injustices experienced by Indigenous women, it is time for a change.”

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The village will be built on land near Victoria Beach that officials said has been donated by the Catholic Church. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.

A release from the province said participants will be able to develop relationships with elders and women with lived experience while living at the village, and participants will be able to keep their families with them while taking part in the centre’s programs.

“At this site, the collective insights and sharing of experiential voices, Indigenous elders, leaders, partners and allies will combine to create a foundation for meaningful transformation and growth,” said Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires.

“This program is sure to provide women with healing and growth as they prepare to return to their lives.”