Recommendations to end Indigenous women’s displacement from land

Band councils

Recommendation 53: Aboriginal governments should adopt the principle of equal representation of women in governing councils and decision-making bodies, and introduce pay-equity policies on reserve.

Recommendations for safe and affordable housing for Indigenous women in the DTES

Build social housing and transition homes

Recommendation 96: A minimum of 30 percent of all units funded by the current National Housing Strategy and the various Building BC Housing Funds must be designated to Indigenous women and families, and be operated by Indigenous housing providers.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Access to justice

Recommendation 159: Fund an Indigenous legal clinic in the DTES that can support Indigenous women in all legal matters and provide regular legal education workshops.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Access to justice

Recommendation 160: Increase Indigenous women’s Access to justice by extending funding to guarantee all Indigenous women have access to full legal aid for criminal and civil legal matters including family, criminal, mental health, and poverty legal aid.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Access to justice

Recommendation 161: Gladue is a legal requirement. All levels of government have an obligation to ensure that all Indigenous women in the DTES have timely, appropriate, and high-quality access to Gladue reports when involved in the criminal justice system.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Access to justice

Recommendation 163: Expand funding for community-based and court-based victim services.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Access to justice

Recommendation 164: Prioritize funding to train Indigenous legal advocates, court workers, and lawyers including through increased funding and capacity for Indigenous court worker programs and initiatives under the Indigenous Justice Program.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Correctional facilities

Recommendation 169: Increased resourcing, capacity, and funding for section 81 Healing Lodges. Indigenous nations and urban Indigenous organizations must be able to operate Healing Lodges on a long-term basis and with full wrap-around supports. Change the policy of not allowing women with maximum-security classifications to be at CSC-operated healing lodges and increase access to all healing lodges.

Recommendations to end criminalization of Indigenous women in the DTES

Correctional facilities

Recommendation 170: Increased resources, capacity, and funding for section 84 agreements so that Indigenous nations are compensated and can provide full support for Indigenous women seeking section 84 releases. Indigenous communities and organizations should exercise control and self-determination in the development and implementation of reintegration plans.

Recommendations for Indigenous women’s wellness in the DTES

Culturally safe healthcare

Recommendation 192: Opportunities for urban Indigenous women to learn traditional and land-based healing practices and develop peer-based holistic health support programs and activities such as regular opportunities to go canoeing, pick medicines, and harvest foods.