News Releases

Today Manitoba honours the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people who have been taken from us far too soon. I want to offer my sincere respect to the families who have lost their loved ones, and to the survivors who have experienced trauma and violence. Your strength and courage must be acknowledged. 

 

The tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is deeply felt in Manitoba. It is imperative that we continue to honour the memories of those who have been lost and support the families who have been impacted by these tragedies.

 

We remain steadfast in our commitment to making changes that will contribute toward safer communities for all.

 

To the community-based, Indigenous-led organizations, thank you for continuing to provide supports and resources to families and survivors. Your work is crucial. Manitoba’s greatest strengths is our people and our collective passion to build a better province for all of us. 

 

I want to acknowledge the Manitoba Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Coalition for their efforts to bring voice to families and survivors as we collectively work to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

 

Since the beginning of the national inquiry, positive work has occurred in our communities, organizations and governments to respond to this tragedy, but we are well aware that there is much more that needs to be done.

 

Addressing the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls requires a multi-faceted approach. Manitoba is currently engaging in a process that will inform our work moving forward with all governments, communities, families and survivors as we respond to the Calls for Justice.

 

Work through the Gender-Based Violence Cabinet Committee continues with key departments to conduct a detailed review and cross-department analysis of the Calls for Justice and to engage with Indigenous organizations, Indigenous leadership and community on their priorities with respect to the Reclaiming Power and Place:  The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

 

This engagement will form part of the basis of a Manitoba response to make recommendations on concrete and effective action that can be taken to remove barriers and increase safety for Indigenous women and girls in Manitoba. A report on what we hear through this process will be made available once this engagement is complete.

 

In the mean time, we recognize that there are things that we can do in the more-immediate term that align with the Calls for Justice.  Some of these recent activities have included:

• ongoing work with Clan Mothers to enhance accessibility to land-based teachings for Indigenous youth who are at high risk of sexual exploitation;

• improving access to technology for justice stakeholders in remote and northern communities;

• continuing efforts to work with Indigenous leadership, police agencies and other community partners to more fully incorporate the use of restorative justice options where appropriate; 

• investing more than $2.1 million over three years to expand StreetReach programming in Thompson and enhance the community mobilization hub;

• ending Manitoba’s long-standing practice of birth alerts, effective July 1, 2020; and

• an ongoing partnership with Indigenous community members and elders to introduce eagle feathers for use in Manitoba court rooms.

 

We honour those who have shared their personal tragedies and grief, and we honour their pain with a commitment to continue working together to meaningfully address the Calls for Justice of the national inquiry.

 

Manitoba’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day coincides with the National Day of Action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

 

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