Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society (TWHLS) is an Indigenous-led charity dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated Indigenous women. (See inclusive definitions below).

We believe the best way to break the cycle of re-incarceration of Indigenous women is to increase our opportunities to thrive. TWHLS is creating a unique model and purpose-built facility on community owned land in Scarborough, Ontario. The Thunder Woman Healing Lodge will combine a healing lodge (the Lodge), affordable housing, wrap-around supports, and a work-integration social enterprise under one roof.

With only two other Indigenous-led healing lodges for Indigenous women in Canada, the Lodge will be the first of its kind in Ontario.

In light of urgent service gaps, we could not wait for the construction of our Lodge and housing facility through 2022. In 2020 when incarcerated Indigenous women began facing increased risk of COVID-19, our board and Executive Director moved ahead and TWHLS became operational for the first time and 24/7. We recognized that the pandemic was further exacerbating an existing crisis of poverty, inadequate housing, chronic health issues, abuse, violence and incarceration. TWHLS leased a house and is presently providing urgent COVID-19 outreach, emergency housing (7 beds), food hampers, case management, cultural support, traditional knowledge and resources to our women upon their immediate release from correctional facilities.

INCLUSIVE DEFINITIONS

The word Indigenous is used inclusively; refers to First Nation (Status and Non-Status), Inuit and Métis people; used interchangeably with Aboriginal or Native.

The words Woman or Women are 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 (+).