by ICC StaffÂ
This upcoming Monday, May 5, is the national day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S), otherwise known as Red Dress Day. This day is meant not just to remember the lives of Indigenous women and girls lost to senseless violence, but also as a call to action for greater reform.
In 2016, the federal government launched a national inquiry to study the cases of MMIWG2S. Their final report, released in 2019, concluded that the legacy of colonial governance and the policies derived therefrom contributed to the endemic violence and disappearance of Indigenous women.
Centuries of colonial practices, systemic racism, residential schooling, and widespread socio-economic marginalization, among other things, each contributed to an environment in which violence could persist. Indigenous women and girls, despite making up roughly 5% of the Canadian female population, account for almost a quarter of all homicide victims — a relative increase over the last few decades.
According to a 2017 study by Statistics Canada, moreover, in the period from 2001 to 2015 Indigenous women were victims of homicide at a rate of around 6 times that of non-Indigenous women. The reality, however, is not simply a matter of numbers, but a story of countless lives lost, broken families, and communities in grief left searching for answers.
In Manitoba, the crisis is deeply felt. The province has among the highest rates of MMIWG2S throughout the country and has seen several high-profile cases drawing national attention. In a similar vein to that of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the federal government’s report on MMIWG2S outlined 231 concrete Calls to Action to put an end to the crisis.
Calling on all levels of government, social service providers, institutions, and community members to act toward meaningful reconciliation and safety measures for Indigenous women and girls, the report’s 231 Calls to Action advocates for a multilateral approach including widespread healthcare, justice, and economic reform, among other things.
On May 5th we pause to honour and remember the lives of MMIWG2S. Their names, stories, and spirits remain with us as we continue to advocate for justice, safety, and change. At the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, we recognize that economic empowerment is inseparable from safety and dignity.
Understanding MMIWG2S is not only about recognizing past injustices but committing to a future where Indigenous women and girls are safe, valued, and heard. We at the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce stand in solidarity with the families and communities that have been impacted by this ongoing national crisis, and we commit ourselves to a future where Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people feel safe and prosperous.
Several resources exist in Manitoba and across Canada to learn more about MMIWG2S and to support families and communities affected, we invite you to explore them at the following links:
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