Backgrounder - New federal investment to strengthen the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women in Manitoba

Status of Women Canada – Women’s Program

One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women’s Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women’s Program to address emerging issues as they arise. 

The Women’s Program funds projects that address systemic barriers to women’s participation and equality in Canadian society in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles. 

Calls for Proposals – Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women

On October 2, 2017, the Minister launched a call for proposals entitled Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women for projects to address the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women and advance gender equality in Canada. Fifteen projects across the country will receive close to $5 million in funding through this call for proposals. 

With this call for proposals, Indigenous organizations and governments were invited to implement projects designed to advance economic security and prosperity for Indigenous women by engaging them, their communities and the private sector to build on their strengths, identify opportunities and address issues affecting their economic security or limiting their economic success.

Funded Project

Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. (IWS) is an organization based in Manitoba that was incorporated in spring 2013. IWS works with hundreds of women to help them start, purchase and expand businesses. They provide business advisory and support services, start-up, purchase and expansion lending, mentoring and networking, and many learning opportunities from seminars and webinars to events.

Project Description

The Government of Canada is investing $283,800 in the IWS for Prosperity through Innovation: Métis Women in Manitoba, a 36-month project that will address barriers to economic security faced by Métis mothers and caregivers as they enter, re-enter or remain in the workforce. 

Métis women will be at the centre of all project activities. Their lived experiences will guide and inform the project in assessing needs and in shaping the creation of individual pathways to prosperity plans for participants that respond to their individual needs. The IWS will partner with the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Métis Employment and Training Department, as well as with the Louis Riel Institute. Together with an external network of partners, the IWS will work to establish new relationships with the private sector to encourage a larger network of employers committed to job matching and inclusion in the workplace.