Welcome to The Cortes Women's Resource Centre

Gather, Coordinate, Create Together

The Cortes Island Women's Centre sits on the unceded territory of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, Qualicum, Kwiakah peoples and exists to support and connect women* in a safe, non-judgmental environment. We work within a feminist framework to educate the community and provide resources that empower women and children to nurture their emotional well-being, physical safety and financial security. We celebrate the uniqueness and individuality of our diverse membership and welcome all Cortes Island women to share their experience, skills, and strength as well as their compassion, wisdom and stories.

*women-identifying and non-binary

In conjunction with commitments to have the CWC be an inclusive and intersectional community space we have also made commitment in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (www.un.org) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report’s Calls to Action (www.nctr.ca.) The CWC is making deliberate steps to decolonize and Indigenize the Centre and are doing so by starting to implement formal policies and practices within the CWC to support and honour respectful relationships with Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers in our community. We acknowledge that in order to decolonize, we must critically examine the effects of colonization and decentralize white privilege within our communities and our social justice work. With permission, we must actively create opportunities for employment, engagement, Indigenous presence and knowledges; as well as safe, physical spaces that reflect the priorities, interests, concerns and sovereignty of local Indigenous peoples. Again, if we are interested in decolonization, it is imperative that we follow those who are most qualified to lead.