About US
At The NWRCT
Vision, Mission, Purpose
VISION – What will success look like?
Indigenous women, children and youth are safe, healthy, thriving, and in their sacred place within Creation.
MISSION – How will we achieve our vision?
Guided by the Seven Sacred teachings of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth, the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto relies on community and spirit to offer enhanced programming, cultural connections and essential support to Indigenous women, children and youth, for seven generations.
PURPOSE – Why are we here?
The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto provides a culturally safe environment for Indigenous women, children and youth to gather, connect and nourish their overall well-being.
Indigenous: First Nations, Métis, Inuit.
Women: NWRCT recognizes all trans, women, two-spirit women and non-binary.
Youth: Ages 18 years old – 26 years old.
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 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.