CUASA Statement on Day of Awareness and Action for MMIWG2S
May 5, 2022
National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA People
May 5th marks the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people (MMIW2S), also known as Red Dress Day. On this day, and all days, we must encourage each other to take action to stop the ongoing genocide (as defined in the National Inquiry report, linked below under “Reclaiming Power and Place”) against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The Native Women’s Association of Canada has released a number of resources for those hoping to educate themselves about the issue, including a fact sheet (“Fact Sheet: Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA People in Canada”) and a Calls for Justice document (“MMIWG Calls for Justice”) which outlines concrete steps that governments, organizations, and individuals must take to end this genocide. We also encourage everyone to read the final report by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (“Reclaiming Power and Place”). For those who are affected and require immediate support, you can call the toll free National 24/7 MMIWG crisis line at 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. Service is available in English, French, Cree, Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway) and Inuktitut. Finally, we would like to uplift the work of the Minwaashin Lodge, an Indigenous women’s support centre in Ottawa that provides services and programs for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of violence and/or are suffering the effects of the residential school system.
