Resources

The following community, health, advocacy and social-justice resources may be helpful:

Coerced Sterilization of Indigineous Women Class Action

Lombard Law: Alisa Lombard is the lead on a class action lawsuit brought by women who were sterilized without their consent. More than 100 women have now joined the lawsuit, mostly from Saskatchewan, and also from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. 

Koskie Minsky: Lawyer Adam Tanel of the firm Koskie Minsky has commenced a class action lawsuit on behalf of Indigenous women in Alberta and British Columbia who underwent a sterilization procedure (tubal ligation) without consent. Learn more here.

 

COVID-19

For the most up-to-date information and resources, download Health Canada’s Covid-19 app here or visit Health Canada’s website here.

Crisis Text Line: 24/7, free nationwide texting service

Text HOME to 686868 in Canada to be connected with a Crisis Responder, a real person who is trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. Learn more here.

Minwaashin Lodge Indigenous Women’s Support Centre

Minwaashin Lodge provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system. All programs and services are provided in the context of cultural beliefs and values to ensure a holistic approach is used as part of the healing journey. Learn more here. 

Odawa Native Friendship Centre

The centre’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for Aboriginal people in the Ottawa region, as well as to maintain a tradition of community, an ethic of self-help and development and to provide traditional teachings from our elders. Learn more here. 

Indigenous Human Rights Clinic (Ottawa) 

A free Indigenous human rights legal clinic available virtually and located within the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. If you are Indigenous and live in the Ottawa area, you can talk to a lawyer for free for up to an hour to get summary ( basic) advice about discrimination and human rights, or just to learn more about discrimination and human rights. To sign up for an appointment or learn more click here.

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

ONWA is a not-for-profit organization that empowers and supports all Indigenous women and their families in Ontario. Its vision is to be a unified voice for equity, equality and justice for Indigenous women through cultural restoration within and across Nations. Learn more here.

Talk 4 Healing: 1 855 554 HEAL (4325)

Talk 4 Healing is a 24/7, culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline created for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, and available in 14 languages all across Ontario. Learn more here. 

Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health

The centre is designed around the Aboriginal belief that the mind, body, emotions and spirit must all be cared for. Wabano offers a full medical clinic, mental health clinic, community and cultural programs along with community outreach to provide a place that people can call home. Learn more here.

Waseskun Healing Center

Waseskun is a men’s healing lodge. Their goal is to facilitate the holistic healing of Aboriginal offenders in order to foster their successful re-entry into their families, communities and nations. Find their newsletters here.

National Aboriginal Council of Midwives

The Council has created an informative policy brief on the issue of Forced and Coerced Sterilization, it can be found here. More information about all the important work the council does can be found here.