The federal government announced nearly half a million dollars in new federal funding today for projects to improve economic security for Indigenous women in the NWT, including a housing partnership with the NWT Native Women’s Association and tourism investments in the Beaufort Delta.
Housing security and job opportunities will advance women's equality and inject dollars into the national GDP, said status of women minister Maryam Monsef Wednesday.
“We know that economic security is the foundation for women's empowerment, yet we also know that the gender wage gap in Canada remains at a stubborn 87 cents on the dollar,” said Maryam Monsef, minister of status of women during a news conference and panel Wednesday at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.
The wage gap is even larger for Indigenous women, she said.
Indigenous-led organizations do effective work and should be bolstered by collaborative federal investments, said Monsef.
“Creating meaningful job opportunities for all women is an important pathway towards the equality we are all seeking,” she said.
The Gwich'in Tribal Council will receive $264,982 for a three-year project to integrate Indigenous women in the tourism sector, and engage women in traditional arts, crafts, and confections markets in the delta.
The NWT Native Women’s Association will see $200K for a three-year project to work with the GNWT and the city of Yellowknife to “create systemic change” in the housing support network, and amplify the needs and voices of Indigenous women to address homelessness and poverty.
Giving someone “a safe, affordable, dignified roof over her head” will empower them to to take on education and training opportunities, said Monsef.
Investing in equality for women could add $150-billion to Canada’s economy by 2026, and could boost the GDP by as much as four per cent, said Monsef.
Federal funding is integral to the community work that the Native Women’s Association does, to support its work on justice, MMIW and training programs, said president Liza Charlo-Pieper.
It's also provides “desperately needed” training and health programs, she said.
“We have a support system. Without the support of the federal funding, we would not be here. Over the years we've become stronger with the funding support,” said Charlo-Pieper.
Lack of funding and high living costs make it difficult to afford housing in the North, leaving women in a lurch as they try to take on other tasks, namely work and education.
The three-year housing program will help address a lack of affordable housing and a high cost of living, which contributes to social problems in the NWT, said Charlo-Pieper.
“Our women need to become empowered. They need to be educated and to be able to qualify to get that job. Getting a job is quite difficult for some women,” she said.
Seniors are often capable of work, but face health-related challenges, she said.
“With the support of the funding, it will help our women to get off the streets and to help them become strong, to empower them,” she said.
The projects were funded through a request for proposals issued by the federal government.
The federal government is funding 14 Indigenous-led projects across the country to the tune of more than $4-million.
Indigenous women are more likely than Indigenous men to have university degrees and are the owners of more than 25 per cent of all Indigenous-led small businesses, said Monsef.
Joy O'Neill, Gwich'in Tribal Council economic development officer proposed programming to create a marketplace for women to sell their handiwork and grow their businesses, she said.
There is “incredible workwomanship” in the Beaufort Delta and the development of the road is seeing an influx in tourism dollars, providing an opportune moment to bring women's goods to market, said O'Neill.
“In a year or two from now, ... the women will feel empowered,” knowing the government and their community is catering to their needs, she said.