Investment In Anti-Violence Projects Supports Indigenous People In B.C.

The Province is announcing new funding for B.C.’s Path Forward Community Fund, intended to ensure that Indigenous people have the resources they need to address violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

“Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience violence far too often, and decades of harmful policies and practices have created cycles that continue to affect people today,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Indigenous people and communities have the resources and support they need to drive community solutions to ending violence.”

The fund was created in 2022, and almost $21 million has been invested since then in community-safety planning and capacity building for Indigenous people through eligible organizations, such as First Nations, Bands, Tribal Councils and Treaty First Nation Governments, Métis chartered communities and Métis organizations, and urban/off-reserve Indigenous organizations.

That includes an additional $5 million in funding this year through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.

The fund is managed by the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and has supported 86 Indigenous-led community projects.

The Province has also released its 2025 status update in response to the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

It outlines the progress that has been made in addressing the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in B.C. and highlights key actions the government is taking to continue the work.

Work noted in the update includes  implementing the Anti-Racism Act, which establishes a whole-of-government approach to dismantling systemic racism and advancing racial equity and sets out steps the government is taking to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

The release of the report coincides with the sixth anniversary of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which was issued on June 3, 2019.

B.C.’s Path Forward includes 28 mandate-letter commitments that align with the inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.