Following the tenth anniversary of the murder of Tina Fontaine, the provincial government has announced plans to try and prevent other at-risk youth from suffering the same fate she did.
Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced today the provincial and federal governments would provide a combined $986,000 in funding for Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad, a not-for-profit that helps at-risk youth in Winnipeg. This increased funding will support programming at Tina’s Safe Haven.
“Tina’s life was cut short, but her legacy is enormous. We honour her memory today and every day in the sacred work we do to protect women, girls and youth,” said Fontaine. “10 years after her death, our government is remembering her while taking real action to protect Manitobans like her by supporting community partners and programs on the front lines of this lifesaving work including Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad’s Tina’s Safe Haven.”
Tina’s Safe Haven is a 24-hour drop-in centre for at-risk youth aged 13 to 24 that offers access to basic needs in a safe and healthy environment where youth can be cared for and supported. Youth can access counselling support, program mentors, resources, workshops, health supports and more. The centre is run by Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad.
Of the $986,000 in funding, $400,000 came from the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence. The remaining $586,000 came from provincial funding. Funds from the National Action Plan will allow Ndinawemaaganag to partner with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre to provide weekly on-site public health nursing at Tina’s Safe Haven including support from a cultural worker and mental wellness therapist to ensure a wholistic approach to wellness, according to the release.
“We know that the rates of violence towards Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people are significantly higher than in other populations,” said federal Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minster Marci Ien. “To honour the life and legacy of Tina Fontaine and all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls who were taken from their families and communities too soon, we must do better for Indigenous communities in Manitoba and across the country. I am proud that funding through the National Action Plan to End to Gender-based Violence is supporting community organizations like Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad, who are offering critical supports and services to youth at risk of gender-based violence.”
Tina Fontaine was 15 years old when she was last seen alive on Aug. 8, 2014. Her body was pulled from the Red River near the Alexander Docks nine days later. Her murder was a catalyst in the MMIWG2S+ movement across Canada and contributed to the launch of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
