Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ currently face the highest rates of femicide in Canada. They make up 16 per cent of all femicide victims, 11 per cent of all missing women and are six times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women and girls.
In 2019, the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People comprehensively highlighted the unique risks faced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIAA+ people empowered by anti-Indigenous racism, sexual and gender-based violence and structural discrimination through colonial structures including residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, the Indian Act, mass incarceration, police brutality, transportation and social service inequities.
Lack of affordable and safe transportation services have significantly increased Indigenous women and girls’ exposure to violence, exploitation and structural discrimination. Transportation inequities are a leading cause of the high number of cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls along the Highway 16, infamously known as the ‘Highway of Tears’.
Violence Against Indigenous Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Defenders
Not enough is being done to address violence against Indigenous women and girls in the context of intensive and large-scale development of oil, gas and other resources across Canada. A 2023 research report with the Wet’suwet’en Nation observes the link between large-scale resource extraction projects and associated labor camps with increased rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ defenders also face mass and targeted surveillance, criminalization, sexual and gender-based violence on the frontlines of land and water defense.
Amnesty International has criticized the federal government for taking two years after the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ (MMIWG2S+) final report to release the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. A time-bound implementation strategy is yet to be introduced.
TAKE ACTION
E-ACTION
Sign our e-action calling for the creation of a time-bound Indigenous-led National Action Plan Implementation Strategy that would outline how the Calls for Extractive and Development Industries in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, will be implemented.
LEARN MORE
Read Amnesty International and Secwepemc Nation representatives’ joint brief submitted to the Committee for the Status of Women (FEWO) in April 2024. This brief calls for the urgent creation of an Indigenous-led Red Dress Alert System in Canada.
Canada has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Canada is reviewed regularly by the UN CEDAW Committee on how effectively it is implementing the Convention.
This year, Canada’s record on gender rights will be examined by the Committee at its 89th Session in October 2024. Watch this space to read Amnesty International’s upcoming Shadow Report submitted in September 2024.
What Can I do?
WEAR ORANGE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH ‘ORANGE SHIRT DAY’
September 30 is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day inspired by the story of Indian Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad. Phyllis was 6 years old when she wore her new orange shirt for her first day at residential school. Her shirt was immediately taken from her by school staff.
We wear orange on this day to honour the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remember those who did not.
GET INVOLVED
Attend an event or rally near you. Watch this space for updated information in the coming months:
September 30th: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation/ Orange Shirt Day
Ottawa
Join the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 3:00 PM EST on Parliament Hill, Ottawa for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation #NDTR
Can’t make it in person? Watch the live broadcast on APTN and other broadcast channels.
Quebec
Every Child Matters March
- Monday, September 30, 2024
- 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier Ville-Marie, Quebec (Parc Avenue)
On September 30th, join The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal for the organization’s 4th annual march to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We come together in honour of the children found in mass graves, residential school survivors, and their families. We invite community members, organizations, and students to stand with us and listen to the wisdom of our powerful speakers. We encourage everyone to wear orange shirts and bring their drums as symbols of solidarity.
March Route:
-Begin at the Monument George-Étienne Cartier
-Walk south on Parc Avenue to Sherbrooke
-Turn right onto Sherbrooke
-Continue along Sherbrooke until Peel
-Turn left onto Peel
-Continue south on Peel until Boulevard René-Lévesque
-Gather at the former Macdonald Monument at Place du Canada, between Metcalfe and Peel, just south of René-Lévesque
As we walk along Milton Street, a place where many homeless people gather, we invite you to bring donations such as food, clothing, socks, or gift cards to share with those in need.
Let’s walk together for truth, reconciliation, and healing.
October 4th: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Remembrance Day
Ottawa
Save the date! Join Families of Sisters in Spirit and Amnesty International on October 4th at Parliament Hill at Noon EST, Algonquin Territory for the #NoMoreStolenSisters Vigil 2024 and to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the release of the No More Stolen Sisters Report by FSIS and Amnesty International.
November 25th-December 10th: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Watch this space for details about the Waniskahtan Exhibition, Amnesty International’s upcoming collaboration with the Legacy of Hope Foundation.
What is the Waniskahtan Exhibition?
