“We need to build new ways and initiatives that deal with and confront gender-based violence, while also empowering women, girls, and 2SlGBTQQIA+ people,” said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “It is important that we show leadership by engaging men and boys to take an active part in preventing and eliminating gender-based violence.” Land-based cultural programming will be used to help develop tools for men and boys to truly understand the impact of violent actions on themselves, their victims and their communities, MKO says. “This project is very important as it will be Indigenous-led through its development and implementation at the community level,” said MMIWG liaison unit manager Hilda Anderson-Pyrz. “One of the key outcomes is to enhance the safety and well-being of First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people through the direct inclusion of men and boys as being part of the solution on ending gender-based violence.”