Survivor and activist Bridget Perrier (Wasaya Kwe) shares the importance of the annual celebration she hosts for survivors of exploitation and trafficking
For Bridget Perrier, Christmas was not always a season that felt safe.
An Indigenous woman and survivor of sex trafficking, Bridget carries the impact of childhood abuse and generations of trauma. She was lured and exploited into the sex trade at the age of 12 after a failed adoption, and remained trapped in that reality for more than a decade before she was able to exit her trafficking situation.
Over the years, she attended Christmas events intended for survivors. While well-intentioned, some felt too structured with ideology, others too clinical, and many were catered more towards children than survivors themselves.
Bridget knew something was missing, so she decided to create it herself.
From Invitation to Tradition
What is now an annual Christmas gathering began as an invitation from Bridget to one other survivor to share a Christmas dinner together. There was no agenda, programming, or expectations: just an opportunity to be together over the holidays in a space that felt safe. Bridget’s goal was never to “host an event,” but to create a supportive sisterhood rooted in safety and mutual respect.
Now, three years later, the gathering has grown through word of mouth. This year’s Christmas party brought together 20 survivors and their children from the Toronto area to the common area at Bridget’s residence with an Elder present to offer a smudge. It was a wonderful evening of food and dessert, connection and conversation, with cookie decorating and crafts for the children.
A Donation That Made a Difference
Bridget was aware of the work #NotInMyCity (#NIMC) was doing in the anti-trafficking space, and became connected to the organization through their request to reshare her advocacy work on their social media channels. When Bridget was planning this year’s party, she reached out to see if #NIMC would be willing to support a donation to the party, so the survivors and their children could receive gifts. #NIMC was pleased to donate to support the event, ensuring each woman could receive something that would make them feel special and cared for this Christmas.
Each woman received practical and thoughtfully chosen items, including gift certificates, candles, hand soaps, and food to take home, including wild rice, buffalo burgers, and a turkey. Each woman also received a beautiful soft throw blanket, which is considered a significant and honourable gesture, offering warmth and love.
One survivor shared that without the donation from #NIMC, she wouldn’t have been able to give her kids Christmas presents this year.
Mentorship Beyond the Job
Today, Bridget works with SPACE International, speaking out, driving change, and supporting other survivors as they navigate their own paths forward. Beyond her work there, she also personally mentors survivors across the country in her own time. She continues this work because, as she puts it, “it’s something that needs to be done.” Healing often happens not in formal settings, but in moments of connection with other survivors, whether that’s a one-on-one conversation or a shared meal over the holidays.
#NotInMyCity is proud to support survivor-led initiatives like Bridget’s, and remains committed to standing alongside survivors and the people working every day to ensure trafficking truly has no place in our cities.
To learn more about how you can be an ally, and to stay tuned for future fundraising events, follow #NotInMyCity on Instagram or Facebook!
