Description:
Through this 56-month project, the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre will increase its ability to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV) against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, with a focus in Bonnyville and surrounding Northern communities. This will be achieved by introducing culturally relevant ways of gathering feedback via internal and external engagement possibilities; and, by delivering information through sharing circles and ceremonies with community members, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The organization will determine its HR requirements, build evidence for policy change, gather knowledge for its future programming needs in addition to increasing collaboration with different Indigenous communities to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
By the end of the project, Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre will have strengthened their capacity to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre will establish a formal Intergenerational GBV Advisory Circle, Develop and Implement Rural & Northern GBV Response Framework, Develop and Implement 2SLGBTQQIA+ Inclusion Framework, and Strengthen Organizational Systems. Through this they will further advance Gender Equality.
Program Purpose:
The purpose of ESSOGIE program is to advance social, political and economic equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Advancement towards a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors that include race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, place of residence and disability are encouraged under the Program.