b'WOMENS INITIATIVESAdvancing Safety,culturally informed protocols, the pilot aims to improve safety outcomes while reinforcing First Nations self-Accountabilitydetermination in emergencyresponse systems.Strengthening early intervention and Leadership and prevention remains a key priority, particularly for women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people, and youth. Through culturally grounded safety and First Nations womens and 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+risk management assessment tools, the sector supports expanded crisis response, leadership driving safer communities safety planning and victim services that reflect First Nations realities. This BY ASHLEY ALBERT work focuses on prevention outcomes, E stablished in 2021, thestakeholders but as decision-makers,reducing harm, identifying risk earlier Chiefs of Ontario Womensinforming all aspects of the sectors workand strengthening pathways to safety Initiatives Sector advancesfrom prevention and early interventionbefore violence escalates.the safety, well-being andto accountability, policy advocacy andRecent national research has further leadership of First Nations women, girls,long-term systems reform. underscored the urgency of this work. Two-Spirit and gender-diverse peopleA core focus of the WomensNew findings from Thomson Reuters across Ontario. Guided by a long-termInitiatives Sector is advancinghighlight the intersection between vision of embedding First Nationsaccountability for the implementationhuman trafficking in Canada and the womens and 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ lead- of the National Inquiry into Missing anddisappearance of Indigenous women, ership at every level of decision-making,Murdered Indigenous Women, Girlsechoing what First Nations have raised the sector works not only to respond toand 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples Callsfor decades about systemic failures in the ongoing MMIWG2S+ crisis, but tofor Justice. Under the direction of themissing-persons response, delayed police transform the systems that allow violenceFirst Nations Womens Council, theaction and misclassification of cases.and inequity to persist. sector developed its first Calls for JusticeThe Keepers of the Circle2S/First Nations people alreadyReport Card to track progress, identifyLGBTQQIAPD+ Council plays a know what is needed, says Rebeccasystemic gaps and support coordinatedcritical role in ensuring that the safety, Timms, director of the Womensfederal, provincial and community-levelidentity and healing needs of gender-Initiatives Sector. The Calls foraction. The tool is intended to strengthendiverse people are fully integrated into Justice, community-driven research andintergovernmental accountability whilethe work of the Chiefs of Ontario. generations of knowledge provide a clearsupporting First Nations-led solutions onCouncil members bring diverse lived roadmap. The challenge now is ensuringthe ground. experience and expertise and emphasize sustained political will, coordinatedThe sector is also advancing Ontariosthe importance of meaningful inclusion, action and funding that aligns with readiness for an Indigenous-led,accountability and moving beyond those truths. culturally grounded Red Dress Alertperformative engagement.The sectors priorities are directedpilot. Informed by Manitobas model andWe are not a checkbox, shares Nibi by the First Nations Womens Councilgrounded in Indigenous governance andLouttit, a member of the Keepers of the and the Keepers of the Circle2S/ data sovereignty principles, the initiativeCircle2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council. LGBTQQIAPD+ Council, ensuringresponds to long-standing concernsOur role is to bring lived, embodied its work remains grounded in Firstraised by First Nations about delayed orknowledge into governance spaces in a Nations governance, lived experienceinconsistent missing-persons responsesway that strengthens accountability and and community-identified needs.and the need for rapid, coordinatedensures Two-Spirit and gender-diverse This governance-led approachaction when people are reported missing.people are meaningfully reflected in positions First Nations women andBy emphasizing rapid mobilization,decisions that affect our safety2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ people not ascoordination across jurisdictions andand futures.As the Chiefs of Ontario looks The challenge now is ensuring sustainedahead, the Womens Initiatives Sector remains a central contributor to its political will, coordinated action and fundingwork in advancing safety, accountability and governance systems that place that aligns with those truths.First Nations womens and 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ leadership at theheart of decision-making for generationsRebecca Timms to come.26l I ssue2 2025/26C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'