Feds, province announce funds to support Tina’s Safe Haven program

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An event in Winnipeg Friday saw the life and legacy of Tina Fontaine honoured 10 years after her death, while the province announced additional funding aimed at keeping Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people safe in Manitoba.

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“This is a priority for our government, and this is work that we do across government departments,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said on Friday at an event held at the MMIWG2S Monument at The Forks.

“Everybody has ensured that they are committed to doing this transformative work.”

The event was one of several being held this month in Manitoba to remember Tina Fontaine, as it was 10 years ago this month that the body of the 15-year-old was discovered near the Alexander Docks in downtown Winnipeg wrapped in plastic and a duvet cover and weighed down by rocks, on the afternoon of Aug. 17, 2014.

Fontaine’s death sparked a national conversation about the safety of Indigenous women and girls in Canada and is seen as one of the catalysts in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in 2015.

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While speaking Friday, the Families Minister announced combined provincial and federal funding of $986,000 for Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad, a Winnipeg-based not-for-profit organization that supports at-risk youth in Winnipeg.

According to the province the money will be used to support Tina’s Safe Haven, a 24-hour drop-in centre named in honour of Tina Fontaine for at-risk youth aged 13 to 24.

The province said the site offers access to basic needs “in a safe and healthy environment where youth can be cared for and supported.” Youth at the centre can access counselling support, program mentors, resources, workshops, health support and other services and resources.

“Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad is grateful for the provincial and federal government’s funding of supports for Winnipeg’s youth from an Indigenous-led perspective with a focus on relationship building,” Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad executive director Shanlee Scott said.

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“This funding allows Tina’s Safe Haven to work within community and with community partners to transform care for young people.”

Last week the province also announced plans to release its strategy on missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in October. That strategy includes a $15 million endowment fund to support MMIWG2S+ families and will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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