Manitoba pledges almost a million dollars to Tina’s Safe Haven

Ten years after the tragic loss of Tina Fontaine, the provincial government pledges almost $1,000,000 to support Tina’s Safe Haven. Mitchell Ringos reports.

By Mitchell Ringos

Ten years after the tragic loss of Tina Fontaine, Manitobans gathered at the MMIWG2S monument to honor her legacy — a legacy that continues to resonate deeply across Manitoba, with the provincial government pledging almost a million dollars to support Tina’s Safe Haven.

“Tina Fontaine’s murder, her little life has led to saving countless Indigenous Women Girls and Two-Spirited lives,” said Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families.

Manitobans gathered at the MMIWG2S monument to honor Tina Fontaine. (Photo Credit: Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)

In August 2014, the body of Tina Fontaine was found near the Alexander docks along the Red River, wrapped in a duvet. Her murder sparked outrage across the country, and the start of the MMIWG2S movement in Canada, which ultimately led to a public inquiry two years later.

“She knew how much she was loved and still is because everyone who knew her, knew the real Tina, so be happy and be at peace, my sweet girl,” said Cora Morgan, who was speaking on behalf of Tina Fontaine’s Family.

Now 10 years later, the Minister of Families announced $986,000 in combined federal and provincial funding to Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad.

“Three years ago, I remember making her a promise, I said at the 10th anniversary. I will organize something in the city at the monument in honor of Tina,” said Minister Fontaine.

The funding will support programming at Tina’s Safe Haven, a 24-hour drop-in centre for at-risk youth aged 13-24. $400,000 will come from the national action plan to end gender-based violence and close to $600,000 from the province will go to supporting the operating costs and programming.

“Days like today when other people are talking about Tina and remembering her, I think it’s a renewed commitment or impedance to move forward in a good way, but she’s never far from mind I speak her name every day,” said Shanlee Scott, the executive director of Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.

Gerri-Lee Pangmen recently marked the 10-year anniversary of the death of her sister Jennifer McPherson from Peguis First Nation, who was killed by her husband after they moved to British Columbia. She is glad that the voices of Indigenous families are finally being heard.

Tattoo on Gerri-Lee Pangmens arm for Jennifer McPherson. (Photo Credit: Mitchell Ringos, CityNews)

“Family voices were never heard we were in the dark there was no light, and having a sister who was murdered 10 years ago around the same time as Tina, now there is light, there is action,” said Pangmen.

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