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Manitoba Government Partners with Ka Ni Kanichihk to Provide New Supports for Indigenous Sex Assault Victims

The Manitoba government is partnering with Ka Ni Kanichihk to provide culturally appropriate counselling and supports for Indigenous sex assault victims in Winnipeg, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for the status of women, said today.

“Anyone who has experienced sexual violence needs immediate support to start the healing process,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.  “This new program will offer culturally appropriate supports and access to resources that will help indigenous women and girls begin recovering.”

Ka Ni Kanichihk, located in the city’s north end, will hire and train a counsellor, and establish a network of elders to provide immediate and ongoing support to Indigenous women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, the minister said.  Ka Ni Kanichihk will work closely with Klinic, Health Sciences Centre and Winnipeg Police Service to offer further supports and resources that respect the Indigenous culture of these women and girls, the minister added.

“This is such an important step forward to ensuring that Indigenous women can access resources within a culturally safe environment when they experience sexual violence and trauma,” said Leslie Spillett, executive director, Ka Ni Kanichihk.  “We know that many Indigenous women who have been victims have not accessed existing services and by offering a service within an Indigenous environment it is our hope that they will come forward.  Ka Ni Kanichihk will work closely with our partners to build on best practices.”

Ka Ni Kanichihk is a member of the United Nations Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative committee.  Winnipeg was the first Canadian city to join the initiative.  Other committee members include the Winnipeg Police Board, Winnipeg Police Service, Klinic, the University of Winnipeg and the Institute for International Women’s Rights – Manitoba chapter.     

“The Safe Cities Winnipeg Committee continues to be a strong partner of UN Women as we work together to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director, UN Women.  “We are pleased by the cultural sensitivity of the comprehensive approach developed to sexual violence in Winnipeg, within which a service to Indigenous women and girls is an early outcome.  We welcome the strong commitment to deliver excellent results in partnership with governments and civil society, by this, the first Canadian city to participate in the Safe Cities Global Initiative.”