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Indigenous women and Two-Spirit support

You belong to a community that has always protected its women.

Everything on this page is led by or built with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. You can ask for an Elder, a matriarch, a Knowledge Keeper, or ceremony, and it will not be treated as unusual.

Start here

  • If you want to talk to another Indigenous woman right now, call Talk4Healing at 1-855-554-4325. Free, 24 hours, and available in Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, and Cree.
  • Hope for Wellness at 1-855-242-3310 has Indigenous counsellors by phone and online chat, in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
  • If a woman or Two-Spirit person in your family is missing or was murdered, the MMIWG line at 1-844-413-6649 is open 24 hours.
  • Your local Friendship Centre or band office can often arrange transport, a safe place, or an advocate the same day.
  • You can ask any shelter whether they have Indigenous staff, smudging, or a cultural support worker before you go. It is a fair question.

Indigenous-led organizations and lines

Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)

National voice for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit women, girls, and gender diverse people. Advocacy, resource lodges, and programs for survivors and families.

NWAC Safe Passage

NWAC's community-led project supporting survivors and the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

Ending Violence Association of Canada: Indigenous resources

Curated list of Indigenous-specific and Indigenous-led anti-violence services, toolkits, and crisis lines across Canada.

Talk4Healing

By and for Indigenous women. 24 hour help line, text, and chat in 14 languages including Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, and Cree.

Hope for Wellness Help Line

24 hour counselling for all Indigenous people in Canada, by phone or online chat, with Indigenous counsellors.

MMIWG National Crisis Line

24 hour support for anyone affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Inuit women's national organization. Violence prevention, shelter advocacy, and northern and urban Inuit programs.

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak

National Metis women's organization, including family violence prevention work and support for Metis survivors.

National Association of Friendship Centres

Urban Indigenous hubs in over 100 communities. Practical help with housing, transport, court support, and cultural programs.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line

24 hour support for residential school survivors and their families, including intergenerational trauma.

Indigenous Services Canada shelters and violence prevention

Emergency shelters and prevention programs for Indigenous women, children, and families, including on reserve, northern, and remote communities.

What cultural safety looks like

You should not have to explain your identity to get help, or leave it at the door to be safe.

  • Ask a service whether they have Indigenous staff, an Elder on call, or a cultural support worker. If the answer is no, ask who they partner with.
  • You can ask for smudging, medicines, ceremony, or a female worker. Any of these can be part of your plan.
  • You can bring a family member, matriarch, or advocate to appointments, court, and police interviews.
  • You do not have to accept a worker who dismisses racism or the history behind what is happening to you. You can ask for someone else.
  • If a service treats you badly, an Indigenous patient or client advocate can complain on your behalf so you do not have to.

Children and family services

The fear of losing your children is real, and it keeps many women from calling. Here is what helps.

  • Reaching out for help with violence is not the same as being reported. Shelters and crisis lines are not child protection.
  • An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families requires that culture, community, and keeping families together be considered first.
  • Many communities have their own delegated child and family services agency. Ask for the Indigenous agency rather than the provincial one.
  • Bring a support person to every meeting and write down names, dates, and what was promised. The Incident Log in this app keeps it private.
  • Ask about a Band representative or community advocate. They can speak for your family in the process.

On reserve, northern, and remote communities

  • If the nearest shelter is a flight or long drive away, ask about emergency travel funding through the shelter, band office, or victim services. It exists.
  • Small communities mean the person may be related to staff or police. You can ask for a worker from outside the community.
  • Emergency protection orders can be arranged by phone in most provinces and territories, without going to a courthouse.
  • If phone or internet is unreliable, agree on a code word with one trusted person and a place to meet.
  • Nursing stations and health centres can document injuries even where there is no hospital.

If someone you love is missing

  • There is no waiting period to report someone missing. Ask for the file number and the officer's name in writing.
  • Call the MMIWG line at 1-844-413-6649 for support and for help pushing when police are slow.
  • NWAC Safe Passage and local family advocates can help with searches, media, and family liaison.
  • Keep recent photos, clothing descriptions, and a written timeline. Ask for a family liaison officer.
  • You can ask for an Indigenous liaison or family advocate to be present at every police update.

Indigenous services in your province

Use the Indigenous-led filter in the resource library to see local services first.

You carry your grandmothers with you. Take the next step in your own time, and take someone with you if you can.