Contact:
604-669-9474
Sex Worker Circle:
- Mondays from 2-4pm in the WISH Office (334 Alexander Street)
Check the monthly WISH Calendar for details.
Indigenous women and gender diverse people are over-represented in street-based sex work, and more than 50 per cent of WISH participants identify as Indigenous.
Cultural programs at WISH have been created in response to the racism, discrimination and targeted violence community members continue to face.
In 2004, a group of Indigenous women from the DTES known as the Sisters of the Four Corners identified the need for culturally relevant programming specifically supporting sex workers. That recommendation was the start of WISH’s Indigenous Health & Safety Program (IHSP).
IHSP understands the importance of reclaiming culture as a path to wellness, and the program continues to evolve, sharing traditional practices in support of spiritual health and healing.
Healing doesn’t have an end, there’s always more to learn and more to heal from. When I started my journey with IHSP, everything fell into place for me. The program has been greatly helpful to my healing and a big part of my self awareness today as I continue to break cycles instead of being stuck in my trauma.
– IHSP Graduate
Each week, IHSP presents Sex Worker Circle. This peer-led group provides the opportunity for participants to connect with other sex workers, share a meal, safety tips, and engage in cross-cultural activities.
The longer IHSP cohort program runs for six months at a time, with up to 8 Indigenous participants. By creating a safe environment of supportive sisterhood, IHSP supports personal growth through activities including:
- Traditional art and creativity (drumming/singing, storytelling, crafting)
- Ceremony and personal healing workshops (smudging, protocol teachings & Elder visits)
- Health/safety/life-skills building (boundaries, values, goal setting)
To learn more about the lived experiences of Indigenous women in the community, please read Red Women Rising. This comprehensive and compelling report from the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre is based on direct input from over a hundred Indigenous women.
