2025-2026 Highlight report: First Nations

Reporting on progress made to address violence against First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

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Introduction

In response to the National Inquiry's Final Report and Call for Justice 1.1, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan (National Action Plan) was released on June 3, 2021. The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People represents the Government of Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan. As a partner of the National Action Plan, the Assembly of First Nations developed its distinctions-based action plan, Breathing Life into the Calls for Justice (PDF), outlining First Nations priorities and actions.

This report outlines federal actions undertaken in 2025–2026 to advance the Calls for Justice in the following areas identified as key priorities by the Assembly of First Nations:

Justice reform and policing

The Assembly of First Nations' Breathing Life into the Calls for Justice identifies policing and justice reform as urgent priorities. In 2025–2026, the federal government supported distinctions-based justice programs and community-led policing initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism, strengthening accountability, and creating space for the co-existence of Indigenous and Canadian legal systems.

In 2025–2026, Justice Canada began implementing the Indigenous Justice Strategy (released on March 10, 2025). Early implementation is being addressed through existing justice-focused collaborative tables that bring together First Nations, provinces, territories, and the federal government to support regional priority-setting and the development of regional implementation plans, grounded in priorities identified by First Nations partners. This aligns with Calls for Justice 1.4, 5.1 through 5.25, 9.1, and 9.2.

Negotiations on administration of justice agreements continued across multiple regions, advancing First Nations-led justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Engagement to date has focused on revitalization, enforcement, and formal recognition of First Nations laws within Canada's broader legal framework. Key areas of progress include defining models of legal coexistence, strengthening community capacity, advancing First Nations-led law enforcement approaches, and developing community-based justice mechanisms that prioritize prevention, healing, and accountability. $3.4 million has supported this foundational work with First Nations. This aligns with Calls for Justice 1.4, 1.6, 5.1, and 5.11.

Implementation of Gladue principles continues to reinforce community-based, culturally grounded approaches to justice. Post-sentence Gladue aftercare funding, largely delivered through the Indigenous Justice Program community justice programs, supports Indigenous individuals, including First Nations, in meeting sentencing conditions and implementing Gladue Report recommendations. These direct services and referrals to community resources strengthen reintegration outcomes and align with Calls for Justice 5.11, 5.15 and 5.16, as well as broader First Nations justice reform objectives.

Justice Canada has advanced several initiatives that strengthen victim, survivors and family supports and improve access to culturally safe justice services for victims of crime. The Family Information Liaison Units continued to assist First Nations families across Canada in accessing up to date information about their missing or murdered loved ones from multiple government sources and connecting them to services and supports, responding to Call for Justice 5.6.

The Community Support and Healing for Families initiative, also led by Justice Canada, enables First Nations-led organizations to design and deliver programs and initiatives that assist families of missing or murdered loved ones with the grief and trauma of their loss. This responds to Calls for Justice 3.3 and 5.6. In 2025-2026, continued funding supported 12 First Nations specific projects across the country. In addition, Justice Canada launched a Community of Practice to connect funded projects, promote shared learning, and strengthen good practices in supporting families.

Through the Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime initiative, Justice Canada increased access to Indigenous-led, culturally safe, and survivor-centred victim services at the community level, while reinforcing partnerships among Indigenous organizations, governments, and justice agencies to reduce the harms Indigenous victims and survivors experience within the criminal justice system. This aligns with Call for Justice 5.6.

Additionally, Justice Canada's Indigenous Justice Program has funded First Nations-led civil and family mediation services, offering alternatives to court processes that emphasize helping families remain together, and are grounded in reconciliation, and community-based healing. These initiatives respond to Calls for Justice 1.8 and 5.11.

Public Safety Canada continued to work closely with First Nations, police services, and provincial and territorial partners on improving how it supports First Nations policing. In 2025-2026, the focus was on distributing sustainable funding for existing First Nations police services, modernizing program delivery structures, and supporting collaborative, tripartite funding negotiations with relevant First Nations, and provincial and territorial partners. This work aligns with Call for Justice 5.4.

Community-led safety

Federal investments in 2025–2026 reflected a wide-ranging First Nations-led approach to physical safety. Programming emphasized culturally grounded prevention, locally governed service delivery, and safe physical environments for Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Through Indigenous Services Canada's Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities initiative, focused community-led infrastructure investments continue to directly support physical and mental safety and well-being in First Nations communities, and is responding to Call for Justice 5.4. For example:

Community safety is further improved through culturally grounded alternatives to incarceration and reintegration supports under Public Safety Canada's Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative. For example, in 2025–2026, $280,812 funding was allocated to Pelican Lake First Nation to establish a culturally grounded justice team through specialized training, mentorship with neighbouring communities, and partnership development. The community is leading a Wholistic Restorative Action Prevention Plan tailored to local customs and traditions, strengthening community-led responses to harm and enhancing public safety from within. This aligns with Call for Justice 14.6.

Public Safety Canada's Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative supports First Nation communities and organizations to design and implement community-driven safety strategies. In 2025-2026, a national gathering in Edmonton, Alberta, "Our Voices, Our Safety: Crafting Resilient Strategies from Within", brought together interested communities to share best practices in Indigenous-led safety planning, youth engagement, and volunteer recruitment. In 2025-2026, 11 communities successfully completed and submitted their community-led Community Safety Plans, with 35 additional communities remaining in ongoing processes. Aligning with Calls for Justice 3.4, 3.5, and 5.5iv, these initiatives integrate culture, language, land-based skills, and community responsibility into practical safety solutions. Projects funded by this initiative include:

Violence prevention efforts are supporting family and community well-being. Through the Preventing Family Violence Program led by the Public Health Agency of Canada, an investment of $786,287, over four years, is enabling the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi to implement and evaluate Kaskinomatasowin, a culturally adapted sexual abuse prevention and healthy relationships promotion program tailored to Atikamekw communities. The program is also providing over $1.1 million over four years to support the Council of Yukon First Nations to develop, deliver, and test a violence prevention program designed by and for Yukon First Nations. This responds to Calls for Justice 1.9 and 7.3.

These initiatives reflect a well-rounded approach to community-led First Nations safety, youth engagement, and violence prevention into a connected and community-centered framework.

Housing and infrastructure

Housing and infrastructure play a critical role in improving the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In 2025–2026, investments were made to improve access to housing and shelters, and develop infrastructure.

Programs led by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation allocated $229.3 million in 2025–2026 to First Nations housing, contributing to improved living conditions, through the construction and repair of housing units. This aligns with Calls for Justice 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 12.4, 18.24, and 18.25. Jointly-led by Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative provides funding towards the construction of new shelters and transitional homes, as well as ongoing operational funding. As part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy and the National Housing Strategy, the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative is a $723.1 million initiative delivered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous Services Canada. This includes $420 million in program dollars for the construction of shelters and transitional homes through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. As of December 31, 2025, approximately $396 million has been committed toward 38 new shelters and 42 transitional homes, and funds had been used towards 46 First Nations-led projects to ensure First Nations women, children and 2SLGBTQI+ people escaping gender-based violence have access to these essential supports and services. This aligns with Calls for Justice 1.8, 3.1, 3.4, 4.7, and 7.3.

Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada continued to increase access to safe and affordable housing, which also prevents family separation and child apprehension linked to poverty and housing insecurity, aligning with Calls for Justice 4.1, 4.7, 12.4, 18.24, and 18.25. In 2025–2026, Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy allocated $26.1 million to 37 First Nations projects to meet distinct needs of First Nations people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy provides funding to First Nations and other partners to establish and sustain distinctions-based, Indigenous-led, low-barrier shelters, safe spaces, and second-stage housing. These resources serve Indigenous people, including women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing violence. Funds for Modern Treaty and Self Governing First Nations and First Nations in the Territories are being delivered by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, while funds for First Nations on-reserve are being delivered through Indigenous Services Canada.

Food security infrastructure is also being strengthened. Through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Local Food Infrastructure Fund, $30.4million over two years was approved in 2025-2026 to 234 projects, 118 of which self-identified as Indigenous and account for approximately 50% of newly allocated funding. Aligning with Calls for Justice 4.1, and 12.4, these investments support culturally appropriate nutrition, and build community self-sufficiency. Funded projects include:

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada allocated $7 million to the Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations Housing Investment in 2025–2026. This funding is focused on community-identified housing needs by supporting the construction and purchase of new homes, renovating existing properties, and providing rent subsidies. This work aligns with Calls for Justice 4.1, 4.6 and 4.7.

These initiatives reflect a commitment to improving and increasing access to stable and culturally appropriate housing, safe infrastructure, and food sovereignty.

Child welfare reform and family support

In 2025–2026, federal initiatives supported the advancement of First Nations-led child and family service laws, the expansion of wraparound supports for survivors, and efforts to reduce systemic harms experienced by families affected by violence and loss. Efforts focused on transferring authority to Indigenous communities, dismantling colonial systems of family separation, and strengthening community-based models of care.

A central component is the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, led by Indigenous Services Canada. As of March 31, 2026, 280 First Nations Indigenous Governing Bodies have advanced jurisdictional development and supported preparations for coordination agreement discussions through capacity-building funding. 15 coordination agreements with First Nations have been signed, with additional agreements anticipated and 26 active discussion tables underway. An increasing number of First Nations communities have signaled their intention to exercise jurisdiction under the Act. This work responds to Calls for Justice on the recognition of Indigenous self-determination in child and family services, and ending discriminatory systems that separate children from their families and communities, including Calls for Justice 12.1 and 12.2.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada supported family healing through the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program. In 2025–2026, over $1.5 million supported eight First Nations projects. These projects focused on supporting Indigenous survivors and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, including celebrations of life and legacy, resource centres, and navigation services to help families access culturally relevant supports. This aligns with Calls for Justice 3.7 and 5.6.

Prevention-focused efforts have also been advanced through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Preventing Family Violence Program. This program supports Indigenous-led initiatives that prevent and address the health impacts of family violence, aligning with Call for Justice 7.3. In 2025-2026, two First Nations-focused prevention projects reached First Nations children, youth, families, and service providers through initiatives aiming to prevent and address child maltreatment and youth dating violence.

Health and wellness

Federal health and wellness investments are advancing the Calls for Justice by addressing systemic inequities, ending anti-Indigenous racism in health systems, and supporting First Nations-led health governance and service delivery. These initiatives recognize that improving the health of First Nations people requires structural change, cultural safety, and the restoration of community-based models of care grounded in First Nations knowledge and self-determination.

Indigenous Service Canada's Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada's Health Systems supports First Nations-led projects which are shaped by community priorities. Aligning with Calls for Justice 3.2 and 3.4, this work aims to enhance cultural and patient safety, improve access to culturally appropriate care, and increase First Nations representation within the health workforce. In 2025–2026, this initiative made significant investments in reproductive health and midwifery projects. As a result of this funding:

Beyond maternal health, Indigenous Service Canada's Indigenous Health Equity Fund is supporting First Nations communities to design and implement their own approaches to culturally safe health services. Implementation is underway across regions, with a focus on strengthening community-driven planning, improving accountability, and reporting on progress in ways that reflect First Nations priorities and outcomes. These efforts align with Call for Justice 7.1.

Indigenous Services Canada's Health Services Integration continues to support collaborative planning and projects aimed at better meeting the healthcare needs of First Nations, and advancing First Nations self-determination, aligning with Call for Justice 7.1. Examples of funded projects include:

Structural reform in medical education is being advanced through the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education, which works with national medical organizations to promote Indigenous-led systemic change and eliminate racism in medical education and professional standards. These efforts respond to Call for Justice 7.1.

Health Canada's Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund contributes to equitable access to community-based services for First Nations women, youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, by funding evidence-based initiatives related to sexual and reproductive health, including improved access to abortion care, family planning, clinical practice guidelines, and gender-affirming and fertility care. In 2025–2026, $362,717 was allocated to the Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health, a project led in partnership between the Canadian Association of Science Centres, the Partnership for Women's Health Research, and Ganawishkadawe. This project will co-develop culturally relevant sexual and reproductive health resources with Indigenous communities to be shared through social media campaigns and at in-person community events that will help to address barriers created by stigma, misinformation, and systemic inequities. This work aligns with Calls for Justice 3.1 and 3.2.

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund supported First Nations communities and organizations to deliver culturally safe prevention, education, testing, and treatment initiatives, while strengthening local capacity and access to culturally appropriate testing, care, and social supports. This aligns with Call for Justice 7.3.

Mental wellness and suicide prevention efforts remained urgent priorities. Since launching in November 2023, the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline has responded to more than 850,000 calls and texts, providing 24/7 suicide prevention crisis support to people across Canada, in English and in French. This aligns with Call for Justice 7.3.

The 2024-2027 National Suicide Prevention Action Plan (the Action Plan), led by the Public Health Agency of Canada, promotes collaborative action while respecting Indigenous rights to self-determination including recognizing existing First Nations and community-led suicide prevention/life promotion initiatives. The Action Plan does not seek to replace but rather, complement these initiatives for greater impact. The Public Health Agency of Canada has established a Suicide Prevention Science Advisory Table that will seek to include First Nations suicide prevention experts, ensuring that distinction-based knowledge informs national suicide prevention and life promotion efforts. This aligns with Call for Justice 7.1.

Addressing substance use and overdose remains essential to improving safety and wellness. The Emergency Treatment Fund, led by Health Canada, provides funding to support community-informed responses to urgent and immediate needs for a total of 43 First Nations-led projects and over $27 million in funding as of March 31, 2026. For example, the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation received $1,175,970 to implement a comprehensive Community Health and Safety Initiative. The initiative combined harm reduction, naloxone training and distribution, family-centered education and support, and youth engagement. Importantly, this approach emphasizes prevention, health promotion, and early identification, along with treatment options that are grounded in cultural safety and traditional healing practices, supported by comprehensive aftercare planning. This aligns with Call for Justice 3.2.

Through the Substance Use and Addictions Program, Health Canada continued to fund provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as community-based, Indigenous, and non-profit organizations, to advance innovative, evidence-based initiatives at every stage of the continuum of care. These initiatives emphasize prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. For example, $484,920 was allocated to All Nations Hope Network's spâ yâ w (it is long lasting): Resourcing and sustaining Awasiw, a harm reduction drop-in space. This service is the first and only of its kind in Regina, Saskatchewan, offering support to individuals from surrounding First Nations communities, and bridging gaps in service by expanding staffing, introducing a peer outreach training program, and working with harm reduction specialists to better connect clients to The Place of Hope. This aligns with Call for Justice 3.2.

Language and cultural revitalization

Language and cultural reclamation are essential to safety, belonging, and healing. In 2025-2026, Canadian Heritage continued to support the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act, notably through the Indigenous Languages Program, which provides Indigenous communities and organizations with funding to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages. Aligning with Calls for Justice 2.2ii, 2.3, and 2.4, the program also provides First Nations partners with greater autonomy, long-term funding, and improved responsiveness to their unique needs and language revitalization priorities. In 2025-2026:

Canadian Heritage's Museums Assistance Program, continued to support the preservation and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage, while promoting cultural awareness. This aligns with Calls for Justice 2.1, 2.5, and 2.7. Examples of funded projects include:

The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent, Indigenous-led non-profit that supports First Nations screen creators across Canada. With the financial assistance of Canadian Heritage, the organization funds film, television, podcasts, and video games to ensure Indigenous stories are told by Indigenous voices, advancing narrative sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and community-driven storytelling. For example, $55,000 was allocated to Rezolution Pictures (Mask) Inc.'s So Surreal: Behind the Masks, a feature documentary focused on the cultural, artistic, and spiritual significance of Indigenous mask-making, exploring how contemporary creators and performers reclaim narrative and identity through their work. These projects align with Calls for Justice 2.7 and 6.1.

Indigenous Service Canada's First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program allocated $8 million to First Nations projects in 2025–2025. Funded projects include:

Early childhood initiatives are also advancing cultural revitalization. Through Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care investments, led by Employment and Social Development Canada, distinctions-based, Indigenous-led investments support the advancement of culturally-appropriate early learning and child care. In addition to distinctions-based funding, more than $10 million has been allocated to First Nations Quality Improvement projects in 2025-2026. For example, $589,895 was allocated to Qualicum First Nation to create 331 Indigenous-themed culture kits for early years programs across British Columbia. These kits will be distributed to 42 Child Care Resource and Referral sites, and accompanied by workshops, educator training sessions, and specialized tools to support staff working with children with special needs. This aligns with Calls for Justice 2.3 and 3.1.

Progress toward transformational systemic change

Through distinctions-based approaches, negotiated agreements, community supports, and legislative reform, federal efforts are advancing systemic change that strengthens First Nations authority, improves justice outcomes, and enhances community safety, laying the foundation for a more self-determined and culturally grounded justice system. This work shifts authority, resources, and decision-making to First Nations while addressing root causes of violence, poverty, and overrepresentation in the justice system.

Investments in housing, infrastructure, and First Nations-led prevention strategies support safer, more equitable communities. Long-term funding for healing services, Indigenous-led justice alternatives, housing, and prevention programs is transforming child and family services through First Nations-designed systems and kinship care, while transferring jurisdiction and addressing challenges such as homelessness and intergenerational trauma.

Investments supporting First Nations-led child and family services, and wraparound services provided trauma-informed, culturally grounded services while advancing child welfare reform, supporting the transfer of jurisdiction to First Nations governments, and strengthening family unity through prevention and healing-focused strategies.

Federal actions are also driving structural change in health by addressing anti-Indigenous racism, strengthening governance, and expanding culturally grounded, First Nations-led models of mental wellness and substance use care.

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