Women – British Columbia

Aboriginal Organizations

Aboriginal Women's Action Network Restorative Justice Policy (AWAN)

Political organization that serves as an independent voice against injustice to Aboriginal women, and provides information and educational resources based on Aboriginal input in workshops on anti-violence and alternative forms of justice.

Source: Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC)

Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council

The Yukon Status of Women Council is an advocacy and awareness group for women's issues, both locally and nationally.

Source: Government of Yukon; Women's Directorate

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Health and Social Services

"Start of Something Powerful": Strategizing for Safer Communities for BC Aboriginal Women, The

Report on this two-day forum which brought together Aboriginal women concerned with violence against women with provincial health and anti-violence organizations and policy makers.

Source: BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs

Aboriginal Health

The Aboriginal Health Program provides both on-site and outreach services to improve the health of Aboriginal women and their families

Source: British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre

Aboriginal Health Program

The Aboriginal Health Program is a women's provincial program that provides health services to improve the health of aboriginal women.

Source: BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre Foundation

Aboriginal Mothers Centre Society

Provides support programs, food programs, essential skills and training through social enterprise developments.

Aboriginal Women's Outreach Program

Atira Women's Resource Society is a not-for-profit organization committed to the work of ending violence against women through providing direct service, as well as working to increase awareness of and education around the scope and impact on our communities of men's violence against women and children.

Source: Atira Women's Resource Society

Aboriginal Women's Program

Battered Women's Support Services uses traditional healing practices and offers culturally appropriate support services and programs run by Aboriginal women for Aboriginal women.

Source: Battered Women's Support Services

Aboriginal Women’s Partnership

To provide the necessary resources, contacts and support to younger women and girls in a structured format.

Source: The Minerva Foundation

Around the Kitchen Table (PDF)

This 92-page document is a training tool designed for Aboriginal Elders and natural helpers on HIV/AIDS and aims to ensure that Aboriginal women will receive education, support and information about HIV/AIDS.

Source: BC Centre for Disease Control

Circle of Life

This program is designed to empower all First Nations women within childbearing years to make healthier lifestyle choices and decrease the number of alcohol- and/or drug-affected births in the community.

Source: Kermode Friendship Society

Drop–in Center

The Centre is a safe space where women can access services that address their immediate needs. It provides laundry facilities, washrooms and showers, telephone, personal hygiene supplies, among others.

Source: Downtown Eastside Women's Centre

First Nations Breast Cancer Society

Non-profit organization that offers breast cancer education and support to First Nations women in the province of British Columbia.

Helping Spirit Lodge Society

Helping Spirit Lodge Society is dedicated to assisting in the alleviation of family violence in the Aboriginal communities.

ISKWEW Girls Strengthening Program (PDF)

Supporting young Iskwew’s between the ages of 12 & 18 with knowledge & awareness to make decisions that will enhance, create and sustain the life they want.

Source: Spirit of the Children Society

Okanagan Nation Family Intervention and Services Society

This organization provides basic food and shelter, support, information and referral for Aboriginal and Métis women and children who are fleeing domestic violence or are in crises.

Pacific Association of First Nations Women

Provides a holistic social, spiritual, psychological, and educational support network for First Nations women.

Program Activities and Initiatives (see First Nations Initiative)

Aims to enrich the lives of First Nations girls through one-to-one friendships that offer them support, guidance, and exposure to positive life choices and role models within their own culture.

Source: Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland

Sheway

Sheway is a partnership initiative in the Vancouver area that provides comprehensive health and social services to women who are either pregnant or parenting children under 18 months old, and who are experiencing substance use issues.

Source: Vancouver Native Health Society

Spirit Bear Center Society

The Centre exists to provide programs that encourage and assist young aboriginal women to build confidence, self esteem and a spirit of independence.

Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry

Their goal is to be a channel of communication between the Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry and other native women's organizations

Women's Healthy Living Secretariat

Provides subject matter expertise, critical analysis and advice to the Ministry of Health of British Columbia on issues affecting the health of women.

Source: Government of British Columbia; Health Services

Young Wolves Lodge

The Young Wolves Lodge is a non-judgmental place, where youth can come to be supported in their efforts to make positive changes for themselves and their children.

Source: Urban Native Youth Association

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Justice and Women's Rights

Our Sacred Strength – Talking Circles Among Aboriginal Women (PDF)

Our Sacred Strength captures the voices of aboriginal women across British Columbia, illuminating the many common concerns and challenges aboriginal women share, and the many different journeys each woman and each nation has followed in their pursuit to build a better future for their children.

Source: BC Treaty Commission

Urban Aboriginal Women in British Columbia and the Impacts of the Matrimonial Real Property Regime

British Columbia case study that looks at the affects of relationship breakdown on urban Aboriginal women and children.

Source: Government of Canada; Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

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Language, Heritage and Culture

First Nations Women – First Nations House of Learning – Xwi7xwa Library

Provides information on subjects such as law, health associations, writers, biography and statistics for Aboriginal women.

Source: The University of British Columbia Library

Story of the Coast Salish Knitters, The (PDF)

For nearly a century the Coast Salish women of southern Vancouver Island have produced these distinctlively patterened, hand-knit sweaters.

Source: UVic Communications – University of Victoria

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Outstanding Women

Grant, Dorothy

Dorothy Grant is the recipient of the Business and Commerce Award.

Pierre, Sophie – Public Service

Sophie Pierre is the recipient of the Public Service Award from the National Aboriginal Acheivement Award.

Source: Government of Canada; Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

Watts, Dolly: Woman Warrior

Biography of Dolly Watts, Business and Commerce award recipient.

Source: First Nations Drum

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Policy, Research and Statistics

B.C. Aboriginal Women on a Fraser River Journey

The Aboriginal Women's Action Network (AWAN), in coalition with other Aboriginal women from Vancouver-based anti-violence agencies, have come together to conduct a participatory action research project on the issue of violence against Aboriginal women.

Source: Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter

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