Today, (Friday, June 3) marks the third anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It also marks the first anniversary of the release of a National Action Plan to drive transformative change to end systemic racism and violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada.
Violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is a national crisis. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to work alongside Indigenous Governments and organizations to eliminate gender-based violence.
A final report based on the knowledge shared at the most recent Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering is currently in development, and will be delivered in June 2022.
Recommendations provided to the Provincial Government from the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee, will be reviewed for actions that may be taken to address the primary concerns of Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and communities.
Additionally, the Office of Women and Gender Equality continues to work with federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues to advance the National Action Plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
The 2022 Progress Report on the National Action Plan on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People has been released and is available at https://mmiwg2splus-nationalactionplan.ca
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Quotes
“We honour the strength and resilience of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals in our province and across the country. We will continue to listen to Indigenous partners as we work to create a province where all people are safe.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
“The development of a National Action Plan to end gender-based violence builds on the important work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We need to continue working towards a transformed Canada where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are, live free from violence, and are celebrated, honoured, respected, valued, treated equitably.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
“This government is committed to working with Indigenous partners to create an environment where Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, along with all residents, feel safe and secure. We will continue to develop and build on the support services and programs that meet the spirit and intent of the ‘Calls for Justice’.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
“Today we honour and remember our loved ones who have been harmed, killed, or are living with the lasting effects of violence. The urgency of real, timely action to stop this violence cannot be overstated. We will continue to work with Federal, Provincial, and Indigenous governments to ensure a safe future for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their loved ones and communities.”
Odelle Pike
Chair, Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee
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Media contacts
Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Emily Jane-Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5524, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
The National Action Plan was co-developed by governments and Indigenous organizations in collaboration with the National Family and Survivors Circle.
The National Action Plan provides an overarching plan which identifies the necessary activities that must be taken by governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous), organizations, and communities across the country to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are.