Grand Valley Institution for Women is one of five regional facilities for women across Canada, as well as the largest women’s prison in Canada. Within these spaces incarcerated women are seen as undeserving and vulnerable. They have all their rights taken away and the large majority of the women within these facilities are women of colour. 

The rate of incarceration of Aboriginal women increased by 80 percent in the past decade. Therefore this situation is critical for both Black and Aboriginal inmates.

"These groups are over-represented in maximum security institutions and segregation placements. They are more likely to be subject to use of force interventions and incur a disproportionate number of institutional disciplinary charges. They are released later in their sentences and less likely to be granted day or full parole.” (Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada)

Therefore, we challenge OHIP to reimplement a music therapy program at Grand Valley Institution for Women. It is their act of protest that connects them to themselves, their heritage and their spirituality. More importantly it is anti-oppressive work that fights against systemic racism, sexism and classism.