Today Canada Honours Its Missing Murdered, Indigenous Woman, Girls & Two Spirited

Canada called the Missing Murdered, Indigenous Woman, Girls & Two-Spirited Genocide.

May 5th is dedicated to honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender-Diverse People, (MMIGG2S). Indigenous women are far more likely to go missing or become murder victims within Canada. For years the Indigenous community has asked the various Federal Governments to call an inquiry into the disappearance of Indigenous women and girls, but they were denied.

On December 8, 2015, Prime Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the National Assembly of First Nation Chiefs and launched the formal inquiry into MMIWG2S. In 2019, the Prime Minister agreed with the MMIWG2S report as genocide. The report concluded “Indigenous women and girls are 16 times more likely to be slain or to disappear than white women and 2 times more likely to be murdered or to go missing than members of any other demographic group in Canada.”

“My heart hurts for all those who have been impacted by the nationwide crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse people.” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “On behalf of MKO First Nations, I will continue to advocate for all levels of government to continue to implement the 231 Calls for Justice stemming from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. I urge other MKO citizens to stand with me in solidarity and work to end gender-based violence in our communities.”

As Canadians continue to honour the MMIWG2S, the families continue to keep hope alive that one day, the genocide will be over and they can hopefully reunite with their miss family members.

Image Source The REDress Project at Acadia University in 2015.

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