October 2, 2026
Manitoba Government Invests More Than $8 Million in New 24-7 Safe Space for Indigenous Women and Their Children in Thompson
– – –Partnership with Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre and Infinity Women Secretariat Will Expand Safety, Housing and Healing Supports in Northern Manitoba: Fontaine
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The Manitoba government is investing $8 million through the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy to support the development of a new 24-7 transitional safe space for Indigenous women and their children in Thompson, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced today.
“As we get ready to mark the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S+ on Sunday, we reflect on the lives lost too soon and our sacred commitment to the safety and empowerment of all Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives across Manitoba,” said Fontaine. “Honouring their memories also means taking meaningful action to support Indigenous women and their families today. The new Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Northern Lodge in Thompson will be a powerful space where our northern relatives can access the wraparound supports they need to move forward with safety, stability and healing.”
The Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Northern Lodge will operate as a community of care, offering culturally grounded supports that help individuals and families heal, stabilize and rebuild their lives. The new facility will create a safe, culturally grounded place for Indigenous women and girls at risk of violence. It will include 10 short-term private studio suites, a communal kitchen and living area, counselling and program space, laundry facilities and a dedicated child-minding area with Indigenous cultural teaching and play-based learning. Residents will have access to trauma-informed supports, cultural programming, parenting supports, peer support and supported connections to housing, health, education, employment and legal services.
“This transitional housing in Thompson will give Indigenous women and their children a safe and supportive place to stay when they need it most,” said Mayor Colleen Smook, City of Thompson. “The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre’s community ties and experience building social housing projects will be a big asset to getting this new facility up and running.”
The Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Northern Lodge fulfils the Manitoba government’s commitment to establish three new 24-7 safe spaces for Indigenous women and their families in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. Today’s announcement builds on a 2025 investment of $3.5 million to establish a first-of-its-kind 24-7 safe space for Indigenous women and their children in Winnipeg, and a 2024 investment of $500,000 to support the creation of Franny’s Place, a new 24-7 safe space in Brandon.
With the opening of the Thompson facility, Indigenous women and their families will have expanded access to culturally safe supports across Manitoba.
Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives living in Thompson and surrounding northern communities experience disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence, the minister noted, adding that geographic isolation, limited access to services and lack of housing all contribute to heightened risks of violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and other continued harms linked to the MMIWG2S+ crisis.
The project pairs the Infinity Women Secretariat’s expertise in Indigenous women-led violence prevention, healing and stabilizing initiatives with the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre’s decades of experience delivering housing, wellness and family support in northern Manitoba.
“The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre is honoured to partner on this important initiative and is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment where programming will be delivered with care, compassion and respect,” said Dee Chaboyer, executive director, Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre. “We look forward to helping make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of those who will be entrusting us to support them on their healing journey.”
“Safety is the foundation for healing, and the new Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Northern Lodge will create a place where Indigenous women and their children can feel safe, welcomed and supported as they begin to rebuild their lives,” said Anita Campbell, spokeswoman, Infinity Women Secretariat. “This is what can happen when governments and community organizations come together with a shared commitment to women and families. We are honoured to be part of creating a culturally grounded space where women can find support, reconnect with community and begin to imagine what comes next.”
The initiative responds directly to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 231 Calls for Justice by providing culturally safe, trauma-informed supports for Indigenous women and girls.
The investment is being made through Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy, the Manitoba government’s $60-million provincial strategy to support the safety, protection and empowerment of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse relatives. It honours four pillars of the strategy including access to culture, health services, healthy communities and justice and safety.
To learn more about the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/wage/minoayaawag-ikwewag.html.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2028, the minister noted.
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