October 4, 2021
Statement from Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere and Minister Responsible For Status of Women Cathy Cox on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day
Today, we pay our sincerest respect to the families, friends and survivors as we mourn the tragic loss of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. We honour the strength and courage of survivors who have, and continue to experience trauma and violence.
We also acknowledge and commemorate the people who have gone missing and have been taken far too soon. Manitobans are encouraged to bring awareness and show support in speaking out against violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
In 2017, the Manitoba government passed bill 221, to proclaim October 4 of each year as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day, making Manitoba the first province to proclaim Oct. 4 as an official day. More than 1,200 Indigenous women and girls in Canada have gone missing or been murdered since the 1980s and for decades, families and loved ones have grieved and called for greater recognition of the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Today, we remember those who have been taken too soon and to honour the healing journeys of the survivors and their families. Our government has committed to work on the path of implementing the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice and continue to consult and work with all levels of government to implement priorities in the national action plan.
The Legislative Building will be lit with the symbolic red dress on Oct.4. The red dress is a visual reminder of the tragic issues surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada and can be a powerful symbol of hope and acknowledgement.
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