It’s National Indigenous Peoples History Month and in 2024, we continue to see history repeat itself. While we see elected officials sharing statements acknowledging this month, talking about their stance on Truth and Reconciliation, doing the photo ops at Indigenous Peoples Day events, all while Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people are still facing colonial violence. 

This June also marks the fifth anniversary since the final report and Calls For Justice (CFA) to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) was announced. We want to recognize the incredible work of the commissioners and the Members of the National Family Advisory Circle  and the emotional labor of the families and survivors who bravely participated. Their advocacy is crucial for the safety of their communities and offers invaluable recommendations for our government, justice, healthcare, and education systems.

So, how has Canada done in implementing these essential recommendations?

Lack of Progress: A National Crisis

To no one’s surprise, the past five years have shown minimal progress. The Assembly of First Nations released a progress report on June 3, 2024, highlighting critical areas where Canada is failing.  Here is an overview of just some of the issues that contribute to this crisis and need attention:

Health and Wellness

• Racism in Healthcare: Indigenous people still face systemic racism when seeking medical care.
• Culturally Unsafe Services: There’s a severe lack of healthcare providers who offer culturally safe services for Indigenous people.

Housing & Community 

• High Rates of Homelessness: Indigenous people are 23 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.
• Lack of Access to Clean Water: Many Indigenous communities still don’t have reliable access to clean drinking water.
• Resource Deficiency in Remote Areas: Remote communities lack the necessary resources, including safe transportation to healthcare and other essential services located in larger towns.

Policing and Correctional Systems

• Over Incarceration: Indigenous women are placed in maximum security at more than three times the rate of their non-Indigenous counterparts, according to the OCI’s Annual Report 2022-2023.
• Mismanagement of Evidence: The RCMP applied to dispose of evidence from the Pickton trial, raising concerns about accountability and justice for survivors and their families.
• Landfill Searches: There has been a national outcry demanding that a landfill in Winnipeg be searched for the remains of murdered Indigenous women. The refusal to search is an insult to the families seeking closure.

Education

• Exclusion of MMIWG2S+ from Curriculum: The history and urgency of MMIWG2S+ issues are not included in school curricula, depriving students of crucial awareness and understanding.
• Lack of Public Education Plans: There’s no comprehensive plan to educate the public about the importance and urgency of addressing MMIWG2S+ issues.

Support for Two Spirit People

• Inadequate Support Systems: Two Spirit people face even more barriers necessary to thrive including accessing mentorship from 2SLGBTQIA+ Elders, access to housing, gender-affirming support services, 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural teachings and ceremonies, and provincial governments implementing harmful laws to erase queer and trans identities. 

What Can We Do?

The lack of substantial progress on the Calls For Justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S is a national disgrace. It’s time for us to move beyond words and photo ops to take real, meaningful action.The changes we can make together are crucial.  Here’s how you can help:

• Write to Government Officials: Demand accountability and immediate action on the Calls For Justice. Your voices can drive change at the highest levels.
• Contact School Boards: Advocate for the inclusion of MMIWG2S issues in educational curricula to raise awareness among the next generation.
• Engage with the Media: Encourage local and national media outlets to prioritize stories and teachings about MMIWG2S to keep this crucial issue in the public eye.

Support for MMIWG2S

Survivors and families of the MMIWG2S can access counselling services and culturally-safe community programming at Salal free-of-charge. Learn more about our Indigenous Support Services on our website by calling our 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line toll free at 1-877-392-7583.