b'a virtual gathering for MMIWG2Sa toolkit shortly on human trafficking,According to Johnson, the toolkit will families and survivors of First NationsJohnson says. Human trafficking is on theinclude resources to cover this issue, as in Ontario, after collaborating with therise. [At our virtual event,] presenters iter- well as arm parents and caregivers with the Assembly of First Nations to produce aated over 70 per cent of human traffickingknowledge to help prevent gender-based report called Decolonizing Systems andin Canada is in Ontario; the majority isviolence. Other initiatives will include Planting Seeds: Advice from Ontarioson the 400-series highways, as well as inTwo-Spirit and gender diversity aware-First Nations Survivors and Families. Thenortheast Ontario. ness, research to support First Nations report was the product of approximatelyFirst Nations communities and Firstvictim services and a summit later this year 26 community engagement sessionsNations youth are very much targeted andon First Nations women and leadership.in 2021 and is currently available onvulnerable, she adds. Parents and care- The sectors main goal is aimed at COOs website. Videos from the virtualgivers are unaware about online luring.empowering women. Our goal wont gathering are also available on COOsYouth are looking for belonging andalways be talking about MMIWGour YouTube channel. friendship, and before they know it, theygoal is that [it] becomes an issue of the The reports MMIWG recommenda- are [being] exploited and manipulated.past, Johnson concludes. tions cover a number of areas, including culture, health and wellness, human security, justice, and industries, institu-tions, services and partnerships. A lack of adequate funding and mental wellness are among other issues covered inthe report. The report also highlights the hold colonization continues to have on ourcommunities and points to community- Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowinbased solutions rooted in culture thatEveryone working have a positive impact on First Nations together to raise in the province. For instance, thereport indicates:our childrenTeachings of the sacredness of women have been lost as a result of coloniza-tion because these teachings made the people strong. Women and 2-Spirit people have been devalued; this needs to be re-examined and reframed1-800-465-3624through engagement with culture. This24/7 TIKINAGAN.ORGperspective can be changed through re-centering cultural practices that recognize and honour traditional roles, connection with language and the land, and the efforts to introduce an under- Ericksons LLP is dedicated to providing reliable and high-quality legal standing of the effects of colonization toadvice on all matters concerning Indigenous and First Nations Law.non-First Nations youth. Our Indigenous and First Nations legal team advises individual communities There will soon be a Womensand tribal councils with respect to all matters, from incorporations and Initiatives section on the COO websiteresource development to governance and treaty disputes. for people to read reports, learn moreWe invite you to visit our website and to contact us to learn moreabout whats happening and gatherabout what we can do for you and your community.materials for their communities.We look forward to working with you.As far as being the first Director for the Womens Initiatives Sector at COO, Johnson says, Its an honour. I feel that the work we do is for families as well as For more information about our teamfor womenwe need to share anythingand what we do, please visit that we are able to do, to provide infor- Ph: (807) 345-1213 | TF: 1-800-465-3912mation in any way we can. info@ericksonsllp.com | www.ericksonsllp.comSoon, the Womens Initiatives sector will be rolling out more information forGeraldton|Manitouwadge|Marathon|Red Lake|Thunder Bay|Terrace Baycommunities. We will be compiling I ssue1 2022C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 53'