October 4, 2021
Province Invests in Supports for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Families and Survivors
– – –Indigenous-led Events to Honour and Acknowledge Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day: Lagimodiere and Cox
The Manitoba government is providing over $50,000 to honour and acknowledge Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day events on Oct. 4, Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox, minister responsible for the status of women and chair of the Gender-Based Violence Committee of Cabinet, announced today.
“Our government is committed to advancing reconciliation and to bring greater awareness to the prevention of violence toward Indigenous women, girls and two spirited individuals,” said Lagimodiere. “Supports to programming and events that give the opportunity for shared experiences to progress healing and understanding of past and ongoing injustices is vital for increased awareness and learning to live healthy lifestyles without violence for all Manitobans.”
Indigenous-led groups receiving funding include:
• Sacred Spirits of Turtle Island MMIWG2S+ Mural Unveiling – for the ceremony and unveiling of a permanent outdoor art installation at the Selkirk Library. As part of its community role, the library in Selkirk has been working with artists and MMIWG2S+ linked family members to develop an outdoor permanent art installation as a place for awareness, recollection and healing.
• Wahbung Abinoonjiiag Soles on Fire Walk/Run – to be held on Oct. 4 starting at the MMIWG monument at The Forks. The five-kilometre - run/walk will honour loved ones who are missing, have been murdered or who have survived all forms of violence. A candlelight vigil is also scheduled at the MMIWG2S+ monument upon completion of the five-km run/walk along with additional activities that include smudging, prayers, drum singers and a red dress jingle dancer.
• MMIWG Awareness Social Media – Partnership between Manitoba Moon Voices and Two Spirited People of Manitoba for a five-day social media campaign beginning on Oct. 4 that will feature photos of families of MMIWG and gender diverse individuals.
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Oct. 4 Ceremony and Healing Support – for a ceremony and healing supports, as well a national online panel discussion which will occur on Oct. 5. The online panel will bring together various key players who have contributed to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and provincial-level work to address MMIWG in Manitoba.
“Our government is committed to helping women, girls and 2SLBGTQQIA+ people escape violence and abuse, and seek the supports they need to create a safe and secure environment for themselves, their children and their family,” said Cox. “We will continue to listen to the people on the front lines and work collaboratively with Indigenous and community-led organizations to advance to provide supports and programing for those in need.”
In 2017, the Manitoba government passed bill 221, to proclaim Oct. 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.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2021/11/BG-MMIWG_Funding-MSW-IRNR.pdf