Giving Voice

Giving Voice 2025-26

In the latest round of Giving Voice, over $1.3 million in funding was allocated to 45 First Nations governments, Métis chartered communities, Indigenous non-profits and Indigenous friendship centres for community-based initiatives that give voice to stopping violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse kin.

The 2025-26 Giving Voice recipients are:

Northern Region

• Change Makers’ Education Society (Prince Rupert) - $30,000
• Dakelh Healing Centre Society (Nak’azdli) - $30,000
• Fort St. John Métis Society (Fort St. John) - $30,000
• Heiltsuk Band Council (Bella Bella) - $30,000
• Kispiox Band Council (Kispiox) - $30,000
• Maiyoo Keyoh Society (Fort St. James) - $30,000
• North Cariboo Métis Association (Quesnel) - $30,000
• Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society (Prince George) - $30,000
• Prince George Red Dress Society (Prince George) - $30,000
• Prince Rupert & District Métis Society (Prince Rupert) - $30,000
• Tsay Keh Dene Band (Tsay Keh Dene) - $30,000
• Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government (Nemaiah Valley) - $30,000

Southern Region

• Adams Lake Indian Band (Chase) - $30,000
• Bonaparte First Nation (Cache Creek) - $30,000
• Cayoose Creek Band Council (Lillooet) - $30,000
• DUDES Club Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Indigenous Wellness Training Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Indigenous Women Rise Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Kelowna Métis Association (Kelowna) - $30,000
• Lillooet Friendship Centre Society (Lillooet) - $30,000
• Miska Creative Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Musqueam Indian Band (Vancouver) - $29,393
• Namwayut Cultural and Wellness Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Qwi:qwelstom Wellness - Sto:lo Service Agency (Chilliwack) - $30,000
• Simpcw First Nation (Barriére) - $30,000
• Splatsin Health Centre (Enderby) - $30,000
• Surrey/Delta Métis Association (Surrey) - $30,000
• The Valerie, Ruth & Pamela Dudoward Foundation (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Tk'emlups te Secwepemc (Kamloops) - $30,000
• Tri River Metis Association (Smithers) - $30,000
• Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation (Lillooet)
• Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (Vancouver)
• Urban Indigenous Health & Healing Co-operative / Kilala Lelum Health & Wellness Cooperative (Vancouver) - $29,245
• Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society (Vancouver) - $30,000
• Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band (Kamloops) - $30,000
• Wúmec r Cqweqwelúten-kt Secwepemc Language Group and Neskonlith Grrlz Group (Chase) - $30,000

Vancouver Island

• Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (Victoria) - $30,000
• Laichwiltach Family Life Society (Campbell River) - $30,000
• Métis Nation of Greater Victoria (Victoria) - $30,000
• Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (Tsa Xana) - $30,000
• North Island Métis Association (Campbell River) - $30,000
• Peer2Peer Indigenous Society (Victoria) - $30,000
• Support Network for Indigenous Women & Women of Colour (Victoria) - $30,000
• Tseshaht First Nation (Port Alberni) - $30,000
• Yuu-Tluth-Aht First Nation / Ucluelet First Nation (Ucluelet) - $30,000

Funding for Giving Voice in 2025-26 was made available through a Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This initiative is one of several key actions our government is advancing under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and  A Path Forward: Early Priorities and Strategies for B.C., which was developed in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

To respect the significant effort invested in 2024 submissions, recipients were drawn from the existing applicant pool rather than through a new call for proposals.

Background

In Canada, one in two Indigenous women is a victim of violence. Despite representing a small percentage of the overall population, Indigenous women are three times more likely to be victims of violence, and those violent situations are eight times more likely to end in homicide.

Violence against Indigenous women exists for a variety of reasons, including patriarchal and discriminatory legislation implemented by past governments, residential schools, and systemic racism and sexism, leading to historical and ongoing oppression.

The Minister’s Advisory Council on Indigenous Women (MACIW):

MACIW is an advisory council of respected Indigenous women that was created in 2011 to advise the B.C. government on how to improve quality of life for Indigenous women and girls across the province. For additional information, visit About MACIW.

MACIW’s Guiding Principles: 

• Community driven and community-based: the voices of Indigenous women, men and children must be heard, and this will ensure that strategies and initiatives are truly responsive; services are accessible and where appropriate community-based.
• Integrity: drawing on Indigenous cultures and traditions is essential to creating culturally appropriate policies and programs.
• Partnership: collaboration, partnership and coordination at the community, regional, provincial and federal levels are needed to end violence.
• Awareness: sharing our knowledge, history, skills and understanding will build support and momentum for ending violence.
• Safety: special attention must be made to ensure that all services and supports for Indigenous women and girls are provided in ways that support their physical and emotional safety.

Giving Voice

There are many strong, courageous individuals and organizations that work diligently to stop violence against women and girls. To add to these efforts, MACIW launched its Giving Voice funding initiative in 2013 to “give voice” to issues of violence within the lives, families, and communities of Indigenous women and girls.

Giving Voice supports community-led projects that provide opportunities for healing and aim to stop violence by changing behaviours and attitudes and mobilizing communities.

To learn more, watch the Giving Voice Video  or contact givingvoice@gov.bc.ca.