October 3, 2018 - October 4 is the National Day to commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (hereafter MMIWG).
In Canada, Indigenous people are twice as likely to be victims of violent assault than non-Indigenous people, especially Indigenous women and girls.
National Inquiry
In 2016, the Government of Canada launched a National Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, independent from the federal government.
According to the Interim report of the National Inquiry, “violence against Indigenous people—including Indigenous women and girls—is rooted in colonization. For the violence against Indigenous women and girls to end, the ongoing colonial relationship that facilitates it must end.”
Everyone can play a role
As we await the release of the complete report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG, we need to take action. There are many ways by which every one of us can have a positive impact:
- Raise awareness: be informed, get involved, and mobilize
- Follow or help the CBC News investigation into the 34 unsolved cases of MMIGW
- On October 4, wear red clothes to show support to the families of MMIGW
- View ‘Walking with our Sisters’, an art installation touring Canada to honour the lives of the MMIWG (next dates in 2019)
- Take the pledge to end violence with Amnesty International
- Attend one of the ‘Sisters in Spirit’ vigils on October 4
- Write a letter to your MP to demand action
- Volunteer with a women’s shelter or Friendship Centre or make donations such as toiletries and seasonal clothing.
Read Ken Neumann’s statement and Marty Warren’s statement on the National day to Commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
In Solidarity,
USW Local 1944
