Advancing reconciliation and gender equality

Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities (2SLGBTQI+) have always played a vital role in shaping what is now called Canada. They have been and continue to be leaders, teachers, healers, providers, and more. Inspiring Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people are contributing to every aspect of society, including the economic, social and democratic spheres, and are working to make Canada, and the world, a better place.

At the same time, they face unique and complex challenges as they strive for equal opportunities in social, economic, educational, and political life. Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) works to support Indigenous communities through reconciliation-focused policy making and program funding that promote the rights and well-being of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Advancing Reconciliation and gender equality at WAGE

Policy making

Indigenous Women’s Circle

The Indigenous Women’s Circle (the Circle) launched in 2018 and provides advice to WAGE on advancing gender equality.

The Circle brings together Indigenous women and 2-Spirit leaders from across Canada to:

share Indigenous knowledge and lived experience on gender-based violence, economic insecurity, and leadership
explore promising practices in Canada and around the world, including ways to engage men and boys
connect with their networks to identify key partners, gaps, and emerging issues
share knowledge and resources to help shape Government of Canada programs and policies

Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

WAGE is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan. Progress made in implementing UNDA Action Plan measures #10 and #11 will help to break down barriers, combat systemic racism and discrimination, close socio-economic gaps, and promote greater equality and prosperity for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Action Plan measure #10 - National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

The UNDA Action Plan measure #10 is to continue to inform the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly Pillar 4, in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples. Pillar 4 is focused on implementing Indigenous-led approaches to ensure a coordinated approach that supports sustainable progress towards ending GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. For more information, visit the Ending gender-based violence against Indigenous Peoples web page.

Action Plan measure #11 - Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

The UNDA Action Plan measure #11 is to implement Pillar 3 of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, “Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence”. The measure focuses on advancing rights and equality of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people through collaboration and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and national Indigenous organizations, governments, and representative institutions, while recognizing distinct cultural approaches to identity.

Program funding

WAGE supports initiatives and projects that advance gender equality for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Many projects have an Indigenous component, some are specifically Indigenous focused, and others are led by Indigenous organizations with an Indigenous focus.

Funding opportunities

Learn more about the funding programs from WAGE as well as the open, closed and ongoing funding opportunities.

Funded projects

Read the inspiring Equality in Action stories of community-based organizations like Ikayuqtiit that (supported with funding from WAGE) are working to create a more equitable and inclusive Canada.

Facts and statistics

Facts and statistics help inform decision making and inspire action.

Indigenous Women and Girls

According to the 2021 Census, there are approximately 860,265 Indigenous women and girls living in Canada. They represent about 4.9% of the country’s total female population.^{Footnote 1}
- Indigenous peoples make up the largest share of the population in Nunavut, where they represent 85.8% of the territory’s population — the highest proportion in Canada. Among Nunavut’s Indigenous population, 35.8% are youth under the age of 14, also the highest proportion of Indigenous youth in the country.^{Footnote 2} Other regions with significant Indigenous populations include:
  - Northwest Territories: 49.6%
  - Yukon: 22.3%
  - Manitoba: 18.1%
  - Saskatchewan: 17.0%^{Footnote 3}

Education

The share of Indigenous adults with a postsecondary qualification has increased since 2016, notably among those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. In 2021, the share of Indigenous women with a bachelor’s degree or higher increased by 2.7 percentage points compared to 2016 (among Indigenous men the increase was 1.0 percentage points).^{Footnote 4}
In the 2021-2022 academic year, women represented 69% of Indigenous new entrants to undergraduate degree programs, compared with 59% of non-Indigenous students. ^{Footnote 5}
In a 2019 survey of 252 Indigenous trans, 2-Spirit, and non-binary people in Canada, 32% reported having some college or university education, 35% reporting having a college or university degree, and 14% reported holding a graduate or professional degree.^{Footnote 6}

Rising employment rate

The employment rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is employed. In Canada, the employment rate of women, including Indigenous women, is rising.

The employment rate among Indigenous women has been increasing over the last decade, leading to a decrease in the gap in employment rates compared to non-Indigenous women. In 2010, the gap in the employment rate between Indigenous women and non-Indigenous women aged 15+ was 6.4 percentage points (51.4% vs 57.8%), this gap narrowed to 2 percentage points in 2024 (55.4% compared to 57.4%).^{Footnote 7}

Economic and political participation

According to Statistics Canada, from 2005 to 2015, the number of Indigenous-owned businesses trended upward, growing at a similar rate as non-Indigenous-owned businesses. From 2015 to 2018 Indigenous-owned businesses saw a decline, whereas the number of non-Indigenous businesses decreased only in 2018. However, from 2005 to 2018, women-owned Indigenous businesses grew more rapidly (+3.3% on average) than men-owned Indigenous businesses (+2.2%). As a result, the share of women-owned Indigenous businesses increased from 22.1% in 2005 to 24.7% in 2018, whereas that of Indigenous men-owned businesses dropped from 74.8% to 71.8%.^{Footnote 8}
Today, 23.2% of Indigenous business owners are women, which is higher than the percentage of non-Indigenous women business owners (19.5%).^{Footnote 9} However, more broadly in companies in 2024 the representation of Indigenous women (0.4%) at the Corporate Director level remains alarmingly low.^{Footnote 10}
Among members of the House of Commons elected in the 44th Federal General Election, 2.4% were of Indigenous origins. The election of Blake Desjarlais, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, marked the first time an openly 2-Spirt candidate was elected.^{Footnote 11}
The 45th (April 2025) Federal General Election marked a historic milestone with 12 Indigenous Members of Parliament elected - the highest number in Canadian history. Notably, three Indigenous leaders were appointed to key positions:
- The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty (Cree) was appointed as Minister of Indigenous Services, becoming the first Indigenous person to hold this role. She previously served as the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee).
- The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand (Anishinaabe/Inninew/Dakota/Métis) has been named Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
- The Honourable Buckley Belanger (Métis citizen from Île-à-la-Crosse) has been named Secretary of State for Rural Development. A veteran politician, he previously served as a Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for over two decades.
In 2021 the Right Honourable Mary Simon, an Inuk leader, was sworn in as Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General.^{Footnote 12}

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2025-09-15

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Advancing reconciliation and gender equality