top of page
Writer's picturereconciliactionyeg

Sisters in Spirit: Honouring the Lives of MMIWG2S+

tansi ninôtemik,


On October 4th, we honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people (MMIWG or MMIWG2S+) for Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Day. 


Annually observed since 2004, SIS Day raises awareness about the disproportionately high rates of violence faced by these communities.[1] It also calls for justice while exposing the systemic issues of colonization, misogyny, racism, and homophobia that fuel the ongoing crisis.[2]


The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) launched the SIS campaign in 2004. Together with Amnesty International, NWAC released a report detailing how economic and social marginalization puts Indigenous women at significantly higher risk of violence.[3] The Canadian government acknowledged the issue in 2005, contributing $5 million over five years to fund the SIS initiative.[4] However, when the funding period ended in 2010, the government cut financial support for SIS.


While the government allocated $10 million of the 2010 federal budget to “combat violence against Aboriginal women,” a majority of the funds were redirected to the RCMP and Department of Justice without consulting NWAC.[5] None of this money went to addressing the violence against Indigenous women specifically or maintaining research on MMIWG2S+. In 2011, NWAC received $1.89 million in funding, with the condition that “NWAC could no longer conduct any research into [MMIWG2S+].”[6] Commentators have viewed this as “a clear effort to silence growing criticism on [the] issue.”[7]


Despite government indifference,[8] SIS continues to be recognized by communities, activists, and organizations. The movement is honoured by those who continue to fight for justice and systemic change.


How You Can Help on Sisters in Spirit Day


Vigils and events will take place across Turtle Island on SIS Day. In Edmonton, Esquao - Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) will hold an event at City Hall between 1:30-3:00 pm, titled “Lighting a Path and Honouring Lost Voices.”[9] 


If you cannot attend a local event, find out if your school, workplace, or community is observing SIS Day. If not, advocate for participation or raise awareness through social media and personal networks. Volunteering at or donating to local women’s shelters is another way to support the cause. 


We hope that people will participate in any way they can. Even small actions, such as readings about Indigenous rights, talking to friends and family about SIS Day, or amplifying Indigenous voices, contribute to meaningful change.


Path Forward


Raising awareness is essential, but ultimately, this crisis is rooted in systemic issues. The high rates of MMIWG2S+ are directly linked to the historic and ongoing treatment of Indigenous peoples by the Canadian government. It is well-documented that “poverty, racism, Canada’s colonial history, and systemic police failures are root causes of the violence and contributing factors” to this crisis.[10]


The Canadian government must take more significant action. Ensuring the health and safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people starts with addressing the broader inequalities in Indigenous communities. As a starting point, this would include ensuring adequate housing, clean water, and robust community infrastructure on reserves. It also means respecting Indigenous land rights and self-determination, and addressing the socio-economic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigneous peoples.


To achieve justice for MMIWG2S+, the government will need to address these systemic issues. While October 4th is a day to raise awareness, lasting change will come when Canada confronts its part and takes bold steps towards reconciliation.

[12]


ekosi and until next time, 


The ReconciliACTION Team



Citations

[1] “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People,” online: <https://humanrights.ca/resource-guide/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-girls-and-2slgbtqi-people> (“[i]n 2023, Statistics Canada released a report showing that Indigenous women and girls were six times more likely to be murdered than other groups of people in Canada.” We do not wish to make this post about statistics, though. Statistics do not give a name or face to these human beings. In order to make meaningful change, the root of the problem needs to be identified. Therefore, we would rather talk about the underlying systemic issues).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Wendee Kubik & Carrie Bourassa, “5. Stolen Sisters: The Politics, Policies, and Travesty of Missing and Murdered Women in Canada” in Brenda Anderson et al, ed, Global Femicide: Indigenous Women and Girls Torn From Our Midst, 2nd Edition (Regina: Open Educational Resources Publishing Program, 2022) 23  at 23.

[4] Prior to 2005, there had been many inquiries, commissions, and reports recognizing this systemic issue and calling for government action. However, the tipping point in 2005 seemed to be connected (in part) to charges laid against Robert Pickton, who confessed to the murder of 69 women (although he was only officially charged with the first-degree murder of 27 women (see “Who was Robert Pickton? A timeline of events leading to the serial killer’s conviction and death” The Globe and Mail (31 May 2024), online: <https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-robert-pickton-timeline/>. See also Ibid at 23-24.

[5] Supra note 3 at 24. 

[6] Kenneth Jackson, “Stephen Harper’s longest war: missing and murdered Indigenous women” APTNNews (09 September 2015), online: <https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/stephen-harpers-longest-war-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women/>. (Important to note that this funding was given by the Status of Women Canada which is a government agency).

[7] Supra note 3 at 24. See also Ibid.

[8] To call this indifference, is generous really. That is, “the United Nations…. have consistently noted that the deaths, and the failure to seek justice for these victims, are clear violations of international and domestic law.” (see Supra note 1).

[9] City of Edmonton, “Sisters in Spirit Day” online: <https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/indigenous-relations-office/sisters-spirit-day>.

[10] Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), Disappearances and Murders of Aboriginal Women and Girls in Canada, Submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2012) online (pdf): <https://www.fafia-afai.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/3-FAFIA-Report-to-CERD-2012.pdf>.

[11] “[P]overty [has] repeatedly been cited by witnesses as a root cause of the violence against [Indigenous] women.” (see Supra note 3 at 25).

[12] “June 3 – Fundraiser for Tears 4 Justice cross-Canada walk – feat. screening of Highway of Tears” (29 May 2013) online (blog): <https://ipsmo.wordpress.com/tag/families-of-sisters-in-spirit/>.


302 views0 comments

コメント


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page