The Ontario government says it is trying to combat violence against aboriginal women with a $2-million boost for women's shelters.

Minister of Social Services Madeleine Meilleur announced the new funding in Ottawa on Thursday.

"Domestic violence is a lot higher in the aboriginal community, and we're addressing that today," Meilleur said at a news conference.

A Statistics Canada study found 21 per cent of aboriginals experienced domestic violence in the five-year period up to 2004, compared to six per cent of non-aboriginals.

Most of the new money will go toward four Ontario women's shelters including Oshki Kizis, an aboriginal women's shelter in Ottawa, which will receive $375,000 to refurbish 15 beds and cover the costs of maintaining them for the next two years.

Meilleur said the funds will also target francophone women, another community in need.