Makwa Dodem is an Indigenous-led program of Ally Global Foundation that works alongside Indigenous communities in Canada to prevent sexual exploitation through culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches. Indigenous peoples are disproportionately impacted by human trafficking, representing over 50% of the reported cases in Canada. When it comes to prevention, there is a lack of resources available that are grounded in Indigenous culture and community realities. To address this, the Makwa Dodem team partners with Indigenous communities through a relationship-first approach, working across stages of partnership through listening, training, and community-led implementation of prevention initiatives. This model prioritizes upstream prevention by promoting consent, healthy relationships, cultural connection, and overall well-being. This presentation will share key insights and emerging trends gathered through direct engagement with Indigenous communities. It will explore how relationship-building, listening, and ongoing accountability shape not only program delivery, but also curriculum design, aftercare practices, and how initiatives are sustained over time. The session will also highlight practical considerations for implementing community-led prevention strategies, including approaches to meaningful engagement, adapting curriculum based on community feedback, and supporting participants in ways that extend beyond the workshop space. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how relationship-driven approaches can strengthen program relevance, deepen impact, and support more sustainable prevention efforts across diverse contexts.
Jacqueline Peeace is the Makwa Dodem Program Manager at Ally Global Foundation, an anti-human trafficking organization. An Indigenous woman with mixed heritage, she brings a background in business and eight years of experience in the anti-trafficking field across diverse contexts. She is passionate about culturally grounded and holistic prevention initiatives.
Christina Hoover, the Makwa Dodem Program Coordinator at Ally Global Foundation, partners across agencies to strengthen prevention programming. She holds a Masters of Education and brings a background in curriculum development, educational leadership, and strategic planning. Christina is passionate about working with cross-disciplinary teams to design and deliver prevention initiatives.