Government of Manitoba, Infinity Women Secretariat and the Manitoba Métis Federation, National Government of the Red River Métis, pleased to announce Phase II funding for Transitional Housing in the Interlake Region

March 10, 2026

Winnipeg, MB - Building on the recently announced Phase I of transitional housing for Red River Métis women and 2SLGBTQ+ Citizens , the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), National Government of the Red River Métis, its proud affiliate Infinity Women Secretariat (IWS) and the Government of Manitoba are pleased to announce the Phase II expansion, which will provide ten additional furnished studio apartments available to Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and their children in need of safe, stable housing to transition away from violence or leave emergency shelter facilities, helping them rebuild their lives.

The Manitoba government is providing up to $4 million to support the expansion through the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy, Manitoba's whole-of-government strategy aimed at the empowerment, safety and protection of Indigenous women, girls, 2Spirit and gender-diverse people. The funding advances several pillars of the strategy, including Access to Culture, Healthy Communities, Housing, and Justice and Safety.

"Our government is proud to partner with the Manitoba Métis Federation and Infinity Women Secretariat on this important initiative, a piece of the web of province-wide supports funded under the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag strategy," said Fontaine. "This Phase II investment is part of $20 million used this year to strengthen culturally rooted housing, healing and family wellness supports across Manitoba to create a better, brighter future for Indigenous women, 2Spirit and gender-diverse relatives."

These additional units will function as an essential part of a whole therapeutic "Community of Care," using an Indigenous approach of holistic healing, based on Red River Métis traditions. Providing wrap-around services in a safe environment enriched by cultural traditions, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and their children will connect to their own strengths and skills, developing confidence and self-worth, alleviating some of the long-term impacts of trauma caused by the violence.

Using this approach to healing, residents will have access to on-site wrap-around services, resources, and support tailored to their specific needs. Off-site referrals will enhance supports with our partners within community.

"This transitional housing initiative builds on the MMF's proven track record of creating infrastructure that is made to last for generations to come, and to be accessible to the communities they serve," said President Chartrand. "This facility is long overdue, given the needs of women in our community and others. We have always had a vision to meet our families' needs in culturally meaningful ways. This transitional housing will give mothers a place to call home, where they feel safe. I'm proud of the work of Infinity Women Secretariat and Spokeswoman Anita Campbell on this important initiative, proving that if you have a dream, you can bring it to life with hard work. We thank the province for their recent partnership, as well as our federal partners for their ongoing support. I encourage women to reach out to us if you need a safe home as they rebuild your life - we will have your back."

Connected to Phase I of the Centre, support staff, a communal kitchen, laundry, healing spaces, garden spaces, communal recreational areas, and childcare will promote holistic healing in a culturally familiar environment.

"IWS is deeply committed to the well-being of Red River Métis women and 2SLGBTQ+ members,"
said Spokeswoman Campbell. "Expanding the facility to include supports for our First Nations and Inuit sisters and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals feels like a natural extension of what is in our hearts and minds. We are all connected through kinship ties, shared cultural values and a profound understanding of our roles in our respective communities. IWS is proud to extend the hand of sisterhood and solidarity to all our relatives who need to heal and regain the strength to stand as matriarchs and strong voices for our Nations. Everything we will do in this transitional housing facility will be about empowering vulnerable women and their children. Quite simply, no community can be whole or healthy without all members being whole and healthy."

Phase I of the project is expected to be completed in spring of this year, with Phase II slated to be complete in Summer of 2027.

Quick Facts:

• The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis are a distinct Indigenous Nation and People and Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.
• Infinity Women Secretariat (IWS) is a proud affiliate of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) - The National Government of the Red River Métis, with a mandate to promote, empower, and enhance the well-being of Red River Métis women and girls throughout the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. IWS engages with over 2,500+ members and strives to foster a sense of belonging and sisterhood for all IWS members within the Red River Métis community.
• Call for Justice 4.7, 16.19 and 18.25 of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls call for all governments to support the establishment and funding of shelters, safe spaces, transition homes, second-stage housing, and services for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
• The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line is available to provide emotional support and crisis referral services to individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Call the toll-free Crisis Line at 1-844-413-6649. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• As with all projects for women and children leaving violence, the address of this project has not been disclosed due to safety reasons.
• To learn more about the Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well Provincial Strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/wage/minoayaawag-ikwewag.html.

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Contacts

Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation/Infinity Women Secretariat
(204) 801-7710
Kat.patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

Naline Rampersad (she/her)
Cabinet Communications |Executive Council
431-323-3358
naline.rampersad@manitoba.ca

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