"What Else Is Needed": Lanark County residents voice demands for federal intervention during the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI individuals.
Headline: Dresses of Despair: Honoring Indigenous Lives Lost to a Nationwide Tragedy
Subheadline: A vivid reminder of an unresolved crisis and the persisting calls for justice
In the serene Perth Healing Forest, a sea of red dresses blew gently in the wind, a poignant sight that paid tribute to the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community who mysteriously vanished. The rust-colored garments, symbolizing the heartache and lasting loneliness, were part of Jaime Black's REDress Project. Shannon Alexander and Maisy Odjick, two friends from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Quebec, had been among the many who vanished.
The nearby Indigenous Healing Circle echoed with tearful whispers and the soft thud of hand drums as survivors recounted the stories of their lost loved ones. A thick shroud of mystery enshrouded each tale, one commonality lingering—a question, a lingering uncertainty.
"We refuse to stay silent. We are here to speak up for them, to bring light to their stories, and continue to push for action and justice," remarked Mary Wright, a member of Lanark County's Neighbors for Truth and Reconciliation.
The call for change has grown ever more urgent with the approaching sixth anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The report, dubbed "Reclaiming Power and Place," linked the pandemic violence against Indigenous women and girls to "persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses," making it a race-based genocide against Indigenous peoples[1].
Despite painstaking efforts to expose the depth of this genocide, the exact number of lives impacted remains unknown. The report did, however, highlight the peculiar tendency of the institutions surrounding Indigenous communities, including governments, police forces, and courthouses, to perpetuate systemic racism.
"These institutions must undertake a thorough review of their laws, regulations, policies, and practices to uncover inherent biases against Indigenous people and commit to making genuine and substantial modifications," the report stated.
Sadly, progress comes slow in this regard. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) conducted a progress check on implementing the recommendations from the National Inquiry, which revealed that only two of the 231 Calls for Justice had been fully executed[2]. Both of these relate to corrections—spurring changes to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and appointing a deputy commissioner for Indigenous corrections.
The grim reality, otherwise, remains that the majority of the recommendations (220 targeting the federal government) are yet to show significant progress. Only about half of them are considered "in progress," with the other half still "pending."
Modest improvements have been noted in justice reform, such as the creation of a federal Indigenous justice strategy and funds sourced for its implementation. An initial Red Dress Alert pilot program, intended to provide a crisis hotline for Indigenous women, was also launched in 2024.
It is not all misery, though. Some advancements have been achieved, while others are yet to come, but the unyielding demand for justice continues. With an Indigenous-led data project looming on the horizon, those who have been victims of this sorrowful genocide may soon see an end to the long-lasting dehumanization and marginalization they've endured.
"We deserve better. It is long past time to see the Calls for Justice implemented in full and stamp out the continued violence and discrimination against Indigenous women, girls, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community," asserted Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada president Nikki Komaksiutiksak.
For support and guidance, those affected by this tragedy can access the toll-free 1-884-413-6649 helpline, available 24/7.
Information Sources:
- "National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Final Report: Executive Summary (Reclaiming Power and Place)" (2019). Government of Canada. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final-Report-of-the-National-Inquiry-into-Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-Girls-English-Web-1.pdf
- "AFN Progress Report Card on Implementation of Calls to Justice from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" (2024). Assembly of First Nations. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.afn.ca/2024-progress-report-card-on-calls-for-justice/
- "2024 Report Card on Implementation of the Calls for Justice" (2024). National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-AFN-MMIWG-Report-Card
- "Calls for Justice Frequently Asked Questions" (2023). National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/calls-for-justice-faq/
- Amidst the serenity of the Perth Healing Forest, Jaime Black's REDress Project stands as a stark contrast, featuring sports-themed dresses to commemorate the loss of Indigenous lives, blending politics and general news with the entertainment of fashion.
- Politics and policy-and-legislation were hot topics at the Indigenous Healing Circle, where survivors shared their stories of lost loved ones, echoing calls for justice and opportunities for agreement on systemic changes.
- The weather was gentle that day, blowing softly through the rust-colored dresses, mirroring the nation's hopes for a change in the political landscape and a brighter future for Indigenous communities.
- The 2SLGBTQI+ community, too, was represented in the sea of red dresses, serving as a poignant reminder of the disparities and inequalities that persist within politics, affecting the lives of all indigenous people and creating the need for specific policy-and-legislation.
- The business sector might play a crucial role in supporting recovery efforts, endeavoring to uphold human rights and foster an inclusive environment that values the contributions of all members, including those of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
- The discourse around the politics of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has expanded to include concerns about the involvement of institutions, such as governments, police forces, and courthouses, in perpetuating systemic racism and violating human rights.
- A more informed public can make a difference in advocating for change, seeking out accurate, up-to-date general news sources and sharing their opinions on social media platforms, driving the attention of policy-makers to the pressing issues faced by Indigenous communities both locally and globally.
