Today is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people (MMIWG2S). Our hearts are with all the families who have not yet seen justice for their lost loved ones.

Justice for MMIWG2S and environmental justice are inextricably connected as neither can happen without confronting and working to dismantle colonialism. Violence against Indigenous women and two spirit people is violence against the land — male-dominated work camps associated with resource extraction projects are directly correlated with an increase in sexualized and gender-based violence against Indigenous peoples.

As neighbours working to shine a light on anti-racism for all those experiencing violence — including Black communities and communities of colour — we need to educate ourselves so awareness is raised and help build a safe and secure world for all. We invite you to explore these resources: 

• National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S – Red Dress Gathering livestream at Vancouver City Hall, happening Thursday May 5 at noon.
• Have you seen red dresses hanging in your community? Learn more about the REDress project here.    
• Video: “Peace River Rising: The link between violence against Indigenous women and violence against the land”
• Lecture by Lee Maracle: “There is a direct connection between violence against the earth and violence against women. Looking to the past to restore our future.”  
• National Indigenous Women’s Resource Centre: MMIW Toolkit for Families and Communities 
• Read Amnesty International’s report “Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada”
• Learn more about the totem pole that was unveiled in Nanaimo to honour missing, murdered Indigenous women here. William and Joel Good, Snuneymuxw First Nation carvers and father and son, collaborated to create the totem.