The word Indigenous is used inclusively and refers to First Nation (Status and Non-Status), Inuit and Métis people. It is used interchangeably with Aboriginal or Native.
The words Woman or Women are also used inclusively to refer to 2SLGBTQIA+ women. The acronym stands for 2Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Allied, and all other identities (+)
Updates on the Lodge Project

Ontario’s first Indigenous owned and led healing lodge for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ women is about become a reality. Indigenous over-representation in Canada’s jails was already a crisis, but the Covid-19 pandemic has proven just how urgently our community-based Healing Lodge and transitional housing program for First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ women leaving corrections is needed!
Years of hard work by Indigenous community members is what has brought this project to the place it is at today. We have achieved major steps, including buying the land and securing zoning approval in 2019! Now we are refining the building design to build a cultural landmark with minimal environmental footprint and preparing for a land blessing.
Support our fundraising campaign today to help us through these next crucial steps! We are targeting construction for late 2020 through 2021 – but every day that Indigenous women are released without adequate supports in place leaves them vulnerable to the very same forces that led to their prior conflict with the law!
Future Lodge Location
Covid-19 Response
In Response to the COVID-19 pandemic Thunder Woman Healing Lodge has launched a program to assist individuals being discharged from Correctional Institutions and jails. Vulnerable Indigenous men and women are being released from custody into precarious circumstances. Many are at risk of immediate homelessness or unable to safely self-isolate – creating an added risk of transmitting the disease to family and community.