Northern Strategy

Grantmaking for Gender Justice in the North

Northern communities face unique challenges – and spearhead unique but under-resourced initiatives to address them. The Canadian Women’s Foundation launched the Northern Strategy in 2018, guided by a Northern Women and Girls’ Advisory Committee based in the region.

We prioritize grants to programs grounded in Indigenous culture and tradition and focused on community-building, truth and reconciliation, land-based healing, and reclamation.

Our staff members continue doing outreach and building relationships in the region, gathering insights and feedback through focus groups, and learning more about the phenomenal work organizations are doing amid the complex challenges they face.

In December 2024, the Foundation received historic funding of more than $5 million to expand on the Northern Strategy from Women and Gender Equality Canada.

Granting Focus Identified by Northern Advisory Committee

Uplifting women’s contemporary roles and responsibilities in family and community, often through the reclamation of Indigenous culture and tradition.
Empowering programming led by Indigenous and community organizations, and increasing cultural competency within public health and wellness institutions.
Centering and reconciling gender relationships in family and community as a pathway to end violence.
Expanding culturally appropriate, community-driven, and secure childcare services to reduce barriers to northern Indigenous women’s economic independence.

Northern Initiatives

The Northern Women and Girls Advisory Committee is built on meaningful community-based relationships that enable the Canadian Women’s Foundation to grant towards these excellent initiatives.

Northern Birthwork Collective, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Offers culturally safe, gender-inclusive birthing care services across the territory, works to increase the number of doulas, and revitalizes traditional birth and perinatal practices.

Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation, Empowering Journeys: Nurturing Indigenous Well-being, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Offers skill-building programs that address economic security, gender-based violence, healthy relationship skills, and girls’ empowerment.

The Messy Book Program, Arctic Rose Foundation, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Children and teens in multiple communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut explore their potential through arts projects in after-school programs led by Inuit guest artists and students who act as facilitators and mentors.

Foxy: Fostering Open eXpression Among Youth, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Young people from Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon get training to become workshop facilitators at schools and peer mentors in their communities.

Qisiliriniq (traditional seal skin preparation) and Tool Making Program for Women and Girls, Ilitaqsiniq, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut:

Women and girls learn to make tools and follow traditional methods for seal skin preparation and spear fishing through programs that reconnect them with empowering cultural and nature-based activities.