MMIWG2S and Violence Prevention

Each person has a role to play in order to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. We encourage every Canadian to consider how they can give life to these Calls for Justice.

We call on all Canadians to:

15.1     Denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, in section 15 of the MMIWG National Inquiry’s Final Report:

15.2     Decolonize by learning the true history of Canada and Indigenous history in your local area. Learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ history, cultures, pride, and diversity, acknowledging the land you live on and its importance to local Indigenous communities, both historically and today.

15.3     Develop knowledge and read the Final Report. Listen to the truths shared, and acknowledge the burden of these human and Indigenous rights violations, and how they impact Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people today.

15.4     Using what you have learned and some of the resources suggested, become a strong ally. Being a strong ally involves more than just tolerance; it means actively working to break down barriers and to support others in every relationship and encounter in which you participate.

15.5     Confront and speak out against racism, sexism, ignorance, homophobia, and transphobia, and teach or encourage others to do the same, wherever it occurs: in your home, in your workplace, or in social settings.

15.6     Protect, support, and promote the safety of women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people by acknowledging and respecting the value of every person and every community, as well as the right of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people to generate their own, self-determined solutions.

15.7     Create time and space for relationships based on respect as human beings, supporting and embracing differences with kindness, love, and respect. Learn about Indigenous principles of relationship specific to those Nations or communities in your local area and work, and put them into practice in all of your relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

15.8     Help hold all governments accountable to act on the Calls for Justice, and to implement them according to the important principles we set out.

Click here for a .pdf of the Final Report’s Calls for Justice for All Canadians.

In June of 2020, on the one-year anniversary of the historic National Inquiry and the release of the final report and Calls for Justice (PDF), the Southern Chiefs’ Organization launched a public awareness campaign. The campaign, featured on billboards, bus boards and social media, featured the work of then 18 year-old Winnipeg artist Ida Bruyere, a proud citizen of Black River First Nation with family ties to Sagkeeng First Nation. Her painting, Lost But Not Forgotten, gives voice to the tragedy of missing and murdered women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people and calls for a new future.

Bruyere’s painting was selected as the winning submission from a call for artistic expressions early in 2020. The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness of the systems and structures that put Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people so disproportionately at risk. The powerful image Bruyere created honours the lives and legacy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, and the campaign invited all Canadians to come together and join us.

If you require immediate support, please contact the national, independent toll free 24/7 support line at 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. The service is available in English, Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway), Cree, Inuktitut, and French.

For confidential help and information on domestic violence, call the province-wide, toll-free crisis line at 1-877-977-0007 (or text 204-792-5302 or 204-805-6682).

If you are impacted by the issue of violence and of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) covers counselling and cultural support services. More information is available at the ISC Services Page.

Cultural Supports are provided by local Indigenous organizations that coordinate the services of Elders, traditional healers, and/or Indigenous community-based workers. Cultural supports will listen, talk, provide support, and can provide specific services chosen by the individual such as traditional healing, ceremonies, teachings and dialogue.

Counselling is provided by psychologists and social workers that enroll with Indigenous Services Canada. They will listen, talk, and assists individuals to provide support and find ways of healing.

Transportation assistance may be offered when professional counselling and cultural support services are not locally available.

If you have questions about missing and murdered loved ones, Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU) members work directly with families to gather information from government services and agencies, such as child protection, polices services and coroner’s offices, to address outstanding questions about the loss of their loved ones. For more information about the services they offer or to find a contact near you, visit the FILU webpage on the Department of Justice website.

The Family Information Liaison Unit lead for Southern Manitoba is
Medicine Bear Counselling, Support & Elder Services
Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.-“Those who lead”
Community Family Liaison Contact
Phone: 204-594-6500 ext. 109
Toll free: 1-888-953-5264
Fax: 204-219-6902
Website: www.kanikanichihk.ca

For mental wellness resources available in southern Manitoba, visit our Mental Wellness Page.

Violence against women is typically perpetrated by men, and many of them lack the proper support to break the cycle of violence, which stems from centuries of colonization. Men can also be victims of domestic violence and in need of victim services and support. Ending Violence Across Manitoba has a list of services and programs available across the province for men who are victims and for men who have committed domestic violence and looking for help on how to end violent patterns.

If experiencing a life‐threatening crisis, please contact your local emergency services (911) or RCMP detachment.

Hope For Wellness

Toll Free Prevention and Support Line:
1-877‐435-7170

Toll Free Hope for Wellness Help Line:
1‐855-242-3310

Online chat available at hopeforwellness.ca

Gi-wii-gaagiigid na? Michi-giigidon. Ganoosh awiya omaa Anishinaabeg gaye Eshkiimeg Bagosendamowin Ji-ayaamagak  Mino-ayaawin Izhi-Giigidowin 1-855-242-3310.

Kids Help Phone

Professional counselling, information, referrals, and volunteer-led text-based support for children and youth are available at https://kidshelpphone.ca/.

• Gender-Based Violence Literature Review for SCO (PDF)

Protecting Our Women Safety Plan & Toolkits

Southern Chiefs’ Organization completed a three year project titled, Protecting Our Women. The main goal of this project was to work with the southern First Nations and community stakeholders in the City of Winnipeg to develop a community Safety Plan and Toolkit for Indigenous women and girls moving to or residing in Winnipeg.

We are proud to share the Safety Plan and Toolkit which includes four booklets below.

• A Toolkit for Women and Girls Transitioning to Winnipeg (PDF)
• A Toolkit for Women Leaving Incarceration (PDF)
• A Toolkit for Youth Transitioning to Winnipeg (PDF)
• Resource Guide for Women and Girls (PDF)

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.