
Women’s Initiatives Sector
The power and strength of First Nations women are vital components of healthy, vibrant families, communities and nations. Women are life givers, caretakers, educators and leaders. Colonial policies and institutions have devalued and diminished the identity and rights of First Nations women and created social and economic conditions that perpetuate discrimination and violence. First Nations women continue to carry on in their many roles despite the severe impacts of patriarchal and discriminatory practices and toxic messaging.
The Women’s Initiatives Sector was established in 2021 to promote the safety, well-being and the empowerment of Ontario First Nations women, girls and Two-Spirit, gender-diverse people and First Nations communities. This work is carried out in conjunction with the First Nations Women’s Council, an advisory council to the Chiefs-in-Assembly, and by bringing a gender-based lens to the issues that impact First Nations communities across Ontario. These issues include Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S), gender-based violence, the need for community supports such as victim services, healing and prevention programs and education and awareness, and initiatives to promote and empower First Nations women’s well-being and leadership capacity.

First Nations Women’s Council
The First Nations Women’s Council was established in 2011 and was mandated to develop community-based strategies to end violence against First Nations women and girls and to make recommendations as a First Nations women’s caucus into a provincial joint working group on violence against Indigenous women.
The First Nations Women’s Council is an advisory council to Ontario First Nations Leadership. It provides reports and recommendations to the Chiefs-in-Assembly. The Terms of Reference for the First Nations Women’s Council were updated in 2022 to highlight the role of the Council in ensuring a gender-based lens is applied to the work of the Chiefs of Ontario in ensuring the safety and well-being of First Nations women, girls and Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.
Members of the First Nations Women’s Council are appointed by their organizations or Councils. The Women’s Initiatives Sector provides coordination and technical support to the First Nations Women’s Council.

Resolutions
First Nations Leadership has long called for an end to the violence and victimization that impacts First Nations in Ontario. As such, Chiefs-in-Assembly has directed governments to work with First Nations to resolve these issues. First Nations Leadership has also supported approaches to encourage women’s participation in leadership across the province. The following is a non-exhaustive list of Resolutions that have and continue to inform the work of the Women’s Initiatives Sector.

Risk Assessment & Danger Assessment Tools (RADAT)
One of the initial priorities identified within the Women’s Initiatives Sector was the need to support victim services in First Nations communities. The Risk Assessment and Danger Assessment Tools (RADAT) research project was established in 2022 to address this need.
The goal of the RADAT research initiative is to assist First Nations victim services by enhancing tools for assessing risk and danger, safety planning, and for tracking victims of partner violence.
Risk Assessment and Danger Assessment Tools (RADAT) Working Group
A project working group has been established to guide this work. The Working Group members, listed below, provide extensive academic and professional expertise in the fields of First Nations policing; violence against Indigenous women, victim services, Indigenous shelters and social services:
• Alana Morrison, D. Sgt. #1220 – Survivor Assistance Program
• Jocelynn Rancourt – Survivor Service Worker, Survivor Assistance Program (alternate)
• Anna-Lee Straatman – Project Manager Knowledge Hub (www.kh-cdc.ca), Family Violence Family Law, Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women and Children, Western University
• Katreena Scott – Academic Director, Family Violence Family Law, Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women and Children, Western University (alternate)
• Sandi Montour – Executive Director, Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services
• Lyndia Jones – Health Director, Independent First Nations (alternate)
• Leanne Hashiguchi, Crisis Response Coordinator, Ontario Native Women’s Association, Ontario Native Women’s Association
• Marilyn Pajunen – Branch Manager, Ontario Native Women’s Association (alternate)
• Abi Ajibolade – Executive Director, The Redwood
• Lucy Deluca – Office Coordinator, The Redwood (alternate)
• Dr. Carol Mulder DBA MSc DVM CUTL – Senior Scientist, Chiefs of Ontario
• Jeanine George – Executive Director, Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario
• Lana Ray, Ph.D. – Lakehead University
• Barbara General – Women’s Initiatives Sector Program Lead, Chiefs of Ontario
• Rebekah Ederer – Women’s Initiatives Sector Research Coordinator, Chiefs of Ontario
Risk Assessment and Danger Assessment Tools (RADAT) Online Training Sessions
Beginning in January 2023, the Chiefs of Ontario Women’s Initiatives sector hosted training sessions in the areas of First Nations victim services risk assessment, danger assessment, and safety planning. The training sessions brought awareness to risk assessments to support the work of shelter workers, Indigenous victim services, and police services.
Phase One
An initial step in this multi-phase project was to provide training for First Nations crisis workers, shelter workers and police services on mainstream risk and danger assessment tools and safety planning, and to obtain their feedback on the applicability of these tools and risk indicators in First Nations settings. The trainings were provided from January to April 2023. Feedback was collected via online surveys. Participants had the option of becoming certified in each of the trainings.
Phase Two
Beginning May 2023, phase two consists of analyzing all of the data collected in phase one. Feedback from participant surveys will be analyzed and used to draft First Nations-specific tools for risk assessment, danger assessment, and safety planning.
In this phase, focus groups will also be conducted with First Nations victim services managers and supervisors to collect more feedback. Additionally, consultation meetings have been booked with the trainers beginning June 2023. The purpose of the consultation meetings is to share the findings from the survey responses with the trainers and work collaboratively to identify the next steps for adapting the tools for use in First Nations communities. This process will also be informed by the academic and grey literature on the topic, as identified in the literature review.
For more information, please visit https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/radat2023 or contact Barbara General, Program Lead, Women’s Initiatives, Chiefs of Ontario, via Barbara.General@coo.org.
Literature Review: A Review of The Literature on the Risk Indicators of Intimate Partner Violence against First Nations Women, Two Spirit, and Gender-Diverse People
Indigenous women experience a disproportionate rate of intimate partner violence higher than any other group of women in Canada (Cotter, 2021; Ontario Native Women’s Association, 2020). Two Spirit and gender-diverse people are at additional risk of experiencing intimate partner violence due to the compounded effects of racism, sexism, and homophobia (2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations, 2008; Hunt, 2016).
The following literature review examined the available peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature on intimate partner violence against First Nations women, Two Spirit and gender-diverse people.

Women’s Leadership Summit
On March 7-9, 2023, the COO Women’s Initiatives Sector and the First Nations Women’s Council hosted a First Nations Women’s Leadership Summit for First Nations women leaders to exchange knowledge, learn through shared personal experiences, and build networks. The theme of the Summit was “Sharing our Strengths.” This gathering was mandated by Chiefs-in-Assembly Resolution 41/18, to support more First Nations women in leadership roles. This was a hybrid event held in Toronto to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Over 100 First Nations women leaders came together and shared their experiences and personal stories that inspired, uplifted, and illustrated the unique ways in which First Nations women lead. Presentations showcased the work being undertaken through the Women’s Councils, elected women leaders and women in traditional leadership roles. Through this event, participants were able to connect with each other, learn ways to address the many challenges they face and draw on each other’s strengths. Their feedback affirmed the importance of coming together as a support network of First Nations women.
The Women’s Initiatives Sector is pleased to provide a compilation video from the Summit on the roles and challenges of First Nations women leaders, which can be found here.

First Nations Women’s REACH Conference
On April 23-25, 2024, under the guidance of the First Nations Women’s Council, the COO Women’s Initiatives Sector hosted a First Nations Women’s REACH (Restoring Economic Abundance and Community Health) Conference for First Nations women to engage in discussions about financial wellbeing, learn about skilled opportunities, and build networks. Poverty has long been linked to family violence. In regional discussions related to our missing and murdered loved ones, Ontario First Nations families and survivors identified the need for more measures to restore economic abundance in our communities. They envisioned a network of support for First Nations entrepreneurs including business investments and mentorship. Participants at the 2023 First Nations Women’s Leadership Summit also expressed a desire for a network to support First Nations women entrepreneurs. These statements align with Calls for Justice 4.2 and 4.4 from the National Inquiry into MMIWG, calling on governments to support community-based solutions to improve social and economic security led by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and more employment and training opportunities. This was a hybrid event held in Toronto.
Over 150 First Nations women attended the conference which aimed to provide information, tools and resources to support First Nations women interested in entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. The presentations and workshops were designed to highlight opportunities in growing industries and support First Nations women in overcoming economic challenges, while self-care practices, makeup artistry and headshot photography were offered.
The Women’s Initiatives Sector is pleased to provide the video recordings from each day of the conference, which can be found here.
Contact the Women's Initiatives Sector
Nancy Johnson
Director of Women’s Initiatives
Nancy.Johnson@coo.org
Toronto Office: (416) 597-1266
Toll-Free: 1-877-517-6527
THE LATEST FROM THE WOMEN’S INITIATIVES SECTOR
Updates
COO Women’s Initiatives Newsletter – Spring 2025
Please find attached the Spring 2025 Edition of the COO Women’s Initiatives Newsletter for your information and reading. In this edition,
Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council Issues Statement in Honour of International Women’s Day
(Toronto, Ont. – March 8, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council (FNWC) and newly elected Chief, Tesha Rourke,
The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC) releases a statement on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Warning: This statement discusses human trafficking, exploitation, and related issues, which may be distressing to some readers. Mental health counselling and
First Nations Women’s Council Issues Statement on Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic and Bill 173
(Toronto, Ont. – December 10, 2024) The Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council has released the following statement acknowledging the
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