b'VICTIM SERVICES AWARD OF DISTINCTIONA WAY OUTBy Bryan HansenONWAs Cheryl Bagnall is recognized for her key role in helping Indigenous women escape human traffickingC heryl Bagnall is a recipient of the 2021-22 Attorney Generals Victim Services Award of Distinction. The Attorney Generals Victim Services Awards of Distinction program recognizes individuals and organ-izations that have made exceptional contri-butions in their fields of service to victims, as well as victims or others who have been impacted by crime. As a recipient, Bagnall is recognized for her dedication to supporting people who have experienced victimization due to crime and to raising awareness of victims issues in Ontario.Cheryl Bagnall, right, with Vicky Woodbeck, ONWA Community Services Manager, left, and Mandy Tait-Martens, ONWA Assistant Director Community ServicesBagnall is an active band member and advo- about issues affecting them, their family, cate for the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabekand community. First Nation on Lake Nipigon. She has spent 30 years working with IndigenousBagnall has overseen the development and not-for-profit organizations and is currentlydelivery of ONWAs Courage for Change the Director of Community Services atProgram, which supports Indigenous women the Ontario Native Womens Associationand girls involved, at-risk, or entrenched (ONWA). I really think of it as a teamin human trafficking. The work resonates approachwe have 10 managers, onewith her. For me, there is a specific connec-assistant director and coordinator, and [wetion being an Indigenous womanpart make] an incredible team, Bagnall says. of my role and responsibility is to take up opportunity to create safe spaces for According to Bagnall, a safe space isIndigenous women as a whole, she explains. the ability for an Indigenous womanThis past year in 2021-2022 we helped 221 to safely have a voice and openly talkIndigenous women exit human trafficking, 36Spring/Summer 2022'