York Factory First Nation

Purpose

This 27-month project will support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19, through systemic change. York Factory First Nation will achieve this by creating community focus groups related to three priority areas: decreasing violence towards women in resource development projects; decreasing family violence through challenging and changing social norms; and working towards pandemic recovery for women. Focus groups of women, Elders, Two-Spirit people, young women, men, service providers, and leadership will: identify barriers faced by women and two-spirit people; gather ideas of how to make social and systemic change; develop action plans; and begin to shape change with partner organizations in and outside of the community. This project will also produce a list of recommendations and the provision of healing activities for women affected by violence and the pandemic. At the end of the project, the Nation will have contributed to addressing systemic barriers by advancing inclusive policies and practices, increasing networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change, and addressing persistent harmful gender norms and attitudes to support equality for women and Two-Spirit members.