A joint statement has been released from Premier Heather Stefanson, Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere, and Rochelle Squires, Minister Responsible for Status of Women on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day.
“On this National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, we mourn the tragic loss of lives taken too soon, and we honour the healing journeys of survivors and their families.
We remember them as people, as family members and as friends. We remember them as women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people with hopes and dreams, whose voices will not be silenced. We vow to continue to pursue justice on their behalf and lend our support to their grieving families to help ensure a safer society for everyone.
In 2017, the Manitoba government passed Bill 221, to proclaim Oct. 4 of each year as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day, making Manitoba the first province to proclaim Oct. 4 as an official day.
As Manitobans, we will ensure that their voices are heard both locally and nationally. As a government, we stand together with our colleagues across Canada in recognizing and working to resolve this complex national tragedy. Our government remains committed to the important work of implementing the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and we continue to consult and work collaboratively with all levels of government to implement priorities in the national action plan.
The Legislative Building will be lit with the symbolic red dress on Oct. 4. The red dress is a visual reminder of the tragic issues surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada and can be a powerful symbol of hope and acknowledgement.
