The federal government announced nearly half a million dollars in new federal funding today for projects to improve economic security for Indigenous women in the NWT, including a housing partnership with the NWT Native WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Association and tourism investments in the Beaufort Delta.

SA国际影视传媒淲e know that economic security is the foundation for women's empowerment, yet we also know that the gender wage gap in Canada remains at a stubborn 87 cents on the dollar,SA国际影视传媒� said Maryam Monsef, minister of status of women during a news conference and panel Wednesday at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.

The wage gap is even larger for Indigenous women, she said.

Indigenous-led organizations do effective work and should be bolstered by collaborative federal investments, said Monsef.

SA国际影视传媒淐reating meaningful job opportunities for all women is an important pathway towards the equality we are all seeking,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

The Gwich'in Tribal Council will receive $264,982 for a three-year project to integrate Indigenous women in the tourism sector, and engage women in traditional arts, crafts, and confections markets in the delta.

The NWT Native WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Association will see $200K for a three-year project to work with the GNWT and the city of Yellowknife to SA国际影视传媒渃reate systemic changeSA国际影视传媒� in the housing support network, and amplify the needs and voices of Indigenous women to address homelessness and poverty.

Giving someone SA国际影视传媒渁 safe, affordable, dignified roof over her headSA国际影视传媒� will empower them to to take on education and training opportunities, said Monsef

Investing in equality for women could add $150-billion to CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 economy by 2026, and could boost the GDP by as much as four per cent, said Monsef.

Federal funding is integral to the community work that the Native WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Association does, to support its work on justice, MMIW and training programs, said president Liza Charlo-Pieper.

It's also provides SA国际影视传媒渄esperately neededSA国际影视传媒� training and health programs, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have a support system. Without the support of the federal funding, we would not be here. Over the years we've become stronger with the funding support,SA国际影视传媒� said Charlo-Pieper.

Lack of funding and high living costs make it difficult to afford housing in the North, leaving women in a lurch as they try to take on other tasks, namely work and education.

The three-year housing program will help address a lack of affordable housing and a high cost of living, which contributes to social problems in the NWT, said Charlo-Pieper.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur women need to become empowered. They need to be educated and to be able to qualify to get that job. Getting a job is quite difficult for some women,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Seniors are often capable of work, but face health-related challenges, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲ith the support of the funding, it will help our women to get off the streets and to help them become strong, to empower them,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

The projects were funded through a request for proposals issued by the federal government.

The federal government is funding 14 Indigenous-led projects across the country to the tune of more than $4-million.

Indigenous women are more likely than Indigenous men to have university degrees and are the owners of more than 25 per cent of all Indigenous-led small businesses, said Monsef.

Joy O'Neill, Gwich'in Tribal Council economic development officer proposed programming to create a marketplace for women to sell their handiwork and grow their businesses, she said.

There is SA国际影视传媒渋ncredible workwomanshipSA国际影视传媒� in the Beaufort Delta and the development of the road is seeing an influx in tourism dollars, providing an opportune moment to bring women's goods to market, said O'Neill.

SA国际影视传媒淚n a year or two from now, ... the women will feel empowered,SA国际影视传媒� knowing the government and their community is catering to their needs, she said.