About US

At The NWRCT

OUR HISTORY

The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) began when a dedicated group of Indigenous women recognized the need for a gathering place in Toronto where Indigenous women could share resources, support one another, and practice their traditional ways. In 1985, this vision resulted in the downtown basement office that affectionately became known as “The Pit.

Today, the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto provides a safe and welcoming environment for all Indigenous women and their children in the Greater Toronto Area. Our programs offer wrap around blanket services to address and support Basic Needs, Housing, Families, Advocacy, Employment, Education, Healing from Trauma, and Access to Ceremonies and Traditional Practitioners/ Healers. NWRCT aims to build confidence and capacity within the collective community. We host a variety of Cultural Activities for our clients and the general public, including the Minaake Awards, Sisters In Spirit Vigil, and Winter Solstice.

The NWRCT is a registered charity funded by government programs as well as public and private donations.

We honour the vision of our founders as we support urban Indigenous women and children from all walks of life. We build self-sufficiency and develop collective capacity to make positive change. We provide individual support, group programming, and cultural initiatives.

OUR HISTORY

The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT) began when a dedicated group of Aboriginal women recognized the need for a gathering place in Toronto where Aboriginal women could share resources, support one another, and practice their traditional ways. In 1985, this vision resulted in the downtown basement office that affectionately became known as “The Pit.

Today, the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto provides a safe and welcoming environment for all Aboriginal women and their children in the Greater Toronto Area. Our programs fall under six broad categories: Housing, Families, Advocacy, Employment, Education, and Youth. We also host a variety of Cultural Activities for our clients and the general public, including the annual Minaake Awards, Sisters In Spirit Vigil, and Winter Solstice .

The NWRCT is a registered charity funded by government programs as well as public and private donations.

We honour the vision of our founders as we support urban Aboriginal women and children from all walks of life. We build self-sufficiency and develop collective capacity to make positive change. We provide individual support, group programming, and cultural initiatives.

Our CULTURE STATEMENT

Opportunity for Reconnection

NWRCT has been able to increase its cultural ceremonies by offering a monthly full moon and shake tent ceremonies, along with sharing and drumming circles. Staff continue to have access to healers and participate in sharing/teaching circles to promote healing and wellness among the team.

NWRCT also promotes active use of fire keepers from a variety of clients, community members and staff to encourage responsibility and support individual and community empowerment.

NWRCT offers an opportunity for reconnection to ceremony and culture to build the confidence and capacity within the woman and to strengthen the family unit.

NWRCT takes a protocol flexible approach to culture and ceremony to ensure inclusivity, safety and access.

Our MANDATE

Our Work and Direction

It is guided by the Seven Sacred teachings: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. Our teachings, traditions, and cultures inform all of our activities. The NWRCT is a registered charity funded by government programs as well as public and private donations.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The Seven Sacred Teachings

In all that we do, we are guided by the Seven Sacred teachings. We bring these teachings, our traditions, and our cultures into our programming, events, and ways of being.

We welcome all self-identifying Indigenous women (cisgender, transgender, and two-spirited people) and their children.

OUR MANDATE

Our Work and Direction

It is guided by the Seven Sacred teachings: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. Our teachings, traditions, and cultures inform all of our activities. The NWRCT is a registered charity funded by government programs as well as public and private donations.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The Seven Sacred Teachings

In all that we do, we are guided by the Seven Sacred teachings. We bring these teachings, our traditions, and our cultures into our programming, events, and ways of being.

We welcome all self-identifying Aboriginal women (cisgender, transgender, and two-spirited people) and their children.

The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto directly supports thousands of Indigenous women and their families every year.