OTTAWA – Today, Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) honours and commemorates Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+) people who are missing, those who have been murdered, survivors and their families, wherever they live. On this first anniversary of the release of the MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan (NAP), the 2022 Progress Report has been released.
On June 3, 2021, a NAP was released as a response to the Calls for Justice within the MMIWG Final Report. The NAP was co-developed with a core working group that included the National Family and Survivors Circle, input from the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and the Urban Sub-working Group, comprised of survivors, family members, front line service providers and experts with lived experience. TI participated and contributed to both the Inuit group and within the Urban MMIWG final report group. The core working group ceased to operate following the release of the National Action Plan however, all members have continued to work towards the 2022 Progress Report.
The 2022 Progress Report highlights progress made over the last year since the release of the NAP. It provides insights on steps that have been taken and the urgent action that is needed next on the path to transformational change to end systemic racism and violence against Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they live. One of the most significant points is the demonstration of how much work remains to be done.
Since June 3, 2021, there has been very little progress made on commitments by any of the governments. With the release of the progress report, we remind the governments that violence against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is a national crisis. Urgent action is needed now to prevent gender and race-based violence everywhere in Canada.
Vanessa Brousseau is an advocate for Missing and Murdered Women and Girls and has been personally affected by this tragedy. Her sister went missing on December 14th of 2003 and remains missing to this day. Vanessa shared, “As much as I appreciate the steps that have been made within our own organizations, it is not even close enough to what needs to be done to end the Genocide of Indigenous peoples. The Federal Government must take accountability for their role and enforce the 231 Calls for Justice. My missing sister’s children along with thousands of other children are not only going without their mother, but without any support their entire lives. They deserve better and we will continue to fight for better.”
TI remains focused on providing programs and services to support Inuit Women and Girls who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and face threats to their personal well-being. First Nations, Inuit, Métis and 2SLGTBQQIA+ people, as well all levels of government must continue to work in collaboration to implement all recommendations.
Collectively, it is our responsibility to ensure that Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ are safe and protected every day in every way. We envision a transformed Canada where Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are, live free from violence, and are celebrated, honoured, respected, valued, and treated equitably.
