Shelter Policy
This research project is focused on increasing the capacity of Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) shelters across the country to offer culturally appropriate programming and policy practices to Indigenous members.
The Need:
For those who experience gender-based violence, a shelter is often the first step to rebuilding their lives and protecting them from further violence. Indigenous women and Two Spirit peoples have expressed hesitancy in accessing mainstream shelter services because of systemic racism, sexism, and colonialism, which magnifies issues and inequalities. There is demonstrated need to improve shelter polices and programs to address these systemic barriers that continue to perpetuate vulnerable conditions for Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit peoples.
Contact Information:
For more information or to request for support, please contact:
Lisa Neil
Housing Researcher
(855) 647-7874
Our Goal:
Keepers of the Circle’s engagements for this research project are two-fold. We will 1) seek to understand the experience of GBV and intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in Northern Ontario, including their networks and pathways to resources; and 2) identify culturally appropriate governance and operational structures for housing and shelters that serve and/or are led by Indigenous women.
Our goal is to identify successes, challenges, gaps, and strategies used by both survivors and shelter operators to navigate domestic violence and GBV. This project will provide information to help VAW and GBV shelters nationwide identify potential ways that they can implement Indigenous-based programming policies, thereby improving the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people both inside and outside the shelter system.
Upcoming Events:
There will be upcoming Knowledge Sharing Sessions both virtual and in-person. If you are interested in attending a session or learning more about this project, please contact the Project Lead, Lisa Neil.