May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People.
On Tuesday, May 2, after more than a century of advocacy from Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people and their communities across Canada, MPs in the House of Commons unanimously passed a motion declaring the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people a national emergency.
We know that the genocide against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people has been an emergency for a long time. For years, many have been ringing alarm bells and calling for action. Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people and their communities, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission — that highlighted “the extraordinary number of Aboriginal women who have been murdered or are reported as missing” — as well as detailed recommendations in the final reports of the National Inquiry into MMIWG, all asked us to not only listen but to take action.
On behalf of our membership of anti-violence workers across the province who support those impacted by gender-based violence, EVA BC applauds the passing of this motion, and the move to create a “red dress alert” system; but action is overdue, and much still needs to be done.
We encourage people to:
- Share information about Red Dress Day and raise awareness within your organization and community – ensure that you are not turning away, you’re paying attention to this crisis and uplifting voices within your community, your family, your friends.
- Support Indigenous-led organizations in your community who are working to increase safety for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
- Connect with your MLAs and MPs to encourage them to implement recommendations from the calls for justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG.
