The Manitoba government is establishing a new $15-million endowment fund to enable a grant program offering supports to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit (MMIWG2S+) relatives.
Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced Sunday, “This is a transformative, historic announcement for MMIWG2S+ relatives, one that recognizes the needs of families and the work we can do together. This fund will ensure a stable long-term commitment to help meet the needs and support families for years to come.”
The endowment fund will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and revenue generated will be used to provide application-based grants for MMIWG2S+ families to heal, learn and empower. The initial investment is expected to generate up to $750,000 per year, which will be paid out in grants, noted the minister. The initial investment will continue to grow, allowing the grant program to continue in perpetuity.
The minister noted the first intake for the new grant program is expected to launch in 2025. The Manitoba government will work with MMIWG2S+ families, the Matriarch Circle and community partners in the coming months to develop grant eligibility and distribution guidelines.
The fund is the first foundational initiative of the Manitoba government’s new multi-year Strategy and Action Plan on Empowering and Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples, which is being supported by Cora Morgan, Manitoba’s special advisor on Indigenous women’s issues and secretary to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples and Gender-Based Violence Committee of Cabinet.
This investment aligns with the Calls for Justice in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls including the call to provide continual and accessible healing programs and support for the children of MMIWG2S+ people and their families.
The Winnipeg Foundation is a registered charity and community foundation that distributes funds to support organizations in Winnipeg and beyond.
For more information, visit Home – The Winnipeg Foundation (wpgfdn.org)
