2021 Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women, Girls,
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
National Action Plan:
Ending Violence Against
Indigenous Women, Girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ People
June 3, 2021

Note to Reader
The National Action Plan honours, and is inclusive of, all Indigenous women,
girls, and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning,
Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people. We are unique and distinct
in our identities, ancestries, histories, and traditions and we acknowledge theimportance of recognizing these differences.
The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (MMIWG) relied on shared understandings of specific terms and definitions related tomissing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. These terms andtheir definitions are also used in the National Action Plan, both for consistency and to respect
the collective efforts by all parties involved in the National Inquiry.1

Indigenous

Inuit

The Final Report stated that “In the context ofInuit live in every province and territory in

the National Inquiry, the term ‘Indigenous’ can be

Canada and are an international Indigenous

understood as a collective noun for First Nations,circumpolar people. Most Inuit in Canada

Inuit, and Métis people in Canada…Throughout

live in Inuit Nunangat – the land, water,

the report, we use the term ‘Indigenous’ toand ice that make up the Inuit homeland.

identify experiences that may be held in common

This homeland is made up of four regions:by First Nations, Métis and Inuit...” (MMIWG

Inuvialuit, in the western Arctic; the territory

Final Report, p. 59).

of Nunavut; Nunavik, in northern Quebec; andNunatsiavut, in northern Labrador.

First NationsFirst Nations are part of unique larger

Métis Nation

linguistic and cultural groups that vary

The Métis Nation emerged as a distinct

across the country. First Nations have a

Indigenous people in the historic Northwest

unique and special relationship with theduring the late 18th century. The historic

Crown and the people of Canada as set

Métis Nation Motherland encompasses theout in the Royal Proclamation of 1763 andPrairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Manifested in Treaties, the Constitution Acts

and Alberta and extends into contiguous partsof 1867 and 1982, Canadian common lawof Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest

and International law in accordance withTerritories and the northern United States.

the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of

In 1870 the Métis Provisional Government

Indigenous People.

of Louis Riel negotiated the entry of the Red
River Settlement into Confederation as theProvince of Manitoba.2
3

The Métis Nation defines “Métis” as a person
who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct
from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic
Métis Nation Ancestry and who is acceptedby the Métis Nation.”3 People of the Métis
Nation are represented by democraticallyelected governing members in each of thefive provinces.

Urban Realities
Identity is complex and Urban Indigenous
communities honour, respect and celebrate
this complexity. One may identify as First
Nations, Inuit or Métis, but some may feelthat they do not fit into these categories
and may more readily identify with the term
Indigenous, which is inclusive of complex
identities. However, we also recognize that

Distinctions-Basedsome are not comfortable being identified as

The Final Report notes the “very challenging

Indigenous. Therefore, we use and understandtask of engaging in a legal inquiry process, while

the terms Indigenous and First Nations, Inuitincorporating distinctive First Nations, Inuit,and Métis to always mean “regardless ofand Métis cultures, languages, spirituality, andresidency,” “regardless of relationship to thecreating opportunities for healing.” (MMIWG

Crown,” and inclusive of the full complexity of

Final Report, p. 3). It also acknowledges theour identities.

“challenges facing specific groups, institutions,geographical, or other circumstances, within a

The Urban Sub Working Group defines urban

distinctions-based approach.” (MMIWG Final

as: First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living

Report, p. 83). In addition, the Final Reportin small, medium and large communities,

recognizes that there are “distinctive bases ofincluding rural, isolated and remote

discrimination, depending on which Indigenous

communities, which are: off-reserve; outside

Nation or group’s experience is in play. In otherof their home community, community of originwords, Inuit, Métis, and First Nations women door settlement; or outside of Inuit Nunangat

not always face the same kind of discrimination(Inuit Homelands).

or threat, even though all are Indigenous.”

Off Reserve Status and Nonstatus Indigenous Peoples(MMIWG Final Report, p. 104).

Off reserve status and non-status Indigenous
peoples are amongst the most socially andeconomically disadvantaged groups in
Canadian society, an unfortunate reality deeply
rooted in colonialism and its impacts. As the
Final Report noted during the National Inquiry,
it was a struggle to provide culturally safe
wellness services to “all those affected by theissue of missing and murdered Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, whether they be
Status First Nations, non-Status First Nations,
Inuit or Métis” (MMIWG Final Report, p. 70).
4

2SLGBTQQIA+ People

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) represents
off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis and

The “+” at the end of “2SLGBTQQIA+” is a way ofSouthern Inuit Indigenous Peoples. As identified in the

being inclusive, honouring and celebrating how ourFinal Report, the development and implementation

languages are expanding and offering choices for ourof a National Action Plan to address violence against

sexual and gender diverse relatives to identify.

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people isa partnership that calls for programs and services that

By relying on and employing the above-noted terms“must be no-barrier and must apply regardless of Status or

and their definitions. the National Action Plan

location” (MMIWG Final Report, p. 176)

honours, and is inclusive of, all Indigenous Peoples
affected by this ongoing tragedy, including but not

Indigenous Women, Girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ People

limited to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, girls,
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The Final Report notes that “We have chosen to use
the phrase ‘Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA
people,’ both to include non-binary people and people
with diverse sexualities, and as an explicit reminder thatgender-diverse people’s needs must equally be taken into
account.” (MMIWG Final Report, p. 59).

5

Contents

Dedication

Provinces and Territories

7

Message from the National Family and56

Newfoundland and Labrador

58

Survivors Circle

9Prince Edward Island

61

Message from the Core Working Group11

Nova Scotia

64

Introduction

12

New Brunswick

67

Quebec70

Ontario73

Manitoba

76

Saskatchewan

78

Alberta

81

British Columbia

84

Yukon

87

Northwest Territories

90

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women and Girls

13

Developing a Core Working Group17

National Action Plan

21

Overarching Vision and Guiding Principles

22

Vision22

Guiding Principles

22

Goals

25

National Action Plan Common
Short-Term Priorities

26

Nunavut

93

National Family and Survivors Circle

31

The Way Forward

96

First Nations

35

Immediate Next Steps

97

Inuit

38

Monitoring Progress

99

Métis Nation

40

Next Steps

105

2SLGBTQQIA+

44

Conclusion

106

Urban

47

Appendix A: Acronyms

107

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

50

Appendix B: Key Terms

108

Federal Government

53

Endnotes

1106Dedication

We honour our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters,
aunties, cousins, friends, and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus
(2SLGBTQQIA+) people who have gone missing or have beenmurdered, as well as the survivors of gender- and race-based
violence and the families whose lives have been altered forever.
Our work is guided by your voices – we will always remember.

We pay tribute to the strength and resilience of

We commend the National Family and Survivors

families of missing and murdered Indigenous women,

Circle, which continues to advise based on the fourgirls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivors ofpillars of inclusion, interconnectedness, accountability,

gender- and race-based violence, who shared theirand impact, so that outcomes are felt on the ground.

difficult truths about this long-standing crisis through

The National Family and Survivors Circle continues

the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered

to lead and advocate for the inclusion of family andIndigenous Women and Girls, the Métis Perspectives

survivors in actions focused on ending all formsof Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls andof violence against Indigenous women, girls, andLGBTQ2S+ People report, and other processes. We also

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The lived expertise andacknowledge, respect and honour family members

agency of families, survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

and survivors who were not ready or who chose not topeople are critical in the decolonizing approach forparticipate in the inquiries.

transformative change.

We acknowledge the work of those involved in theWe thank the numerous front-line workers, grassroots

National Inquiry, including the Commissioners, staff,

organizations, and advocacy groups for their tirelessElders, Grandmothers, Committee members, project

support to survivors and family members.

coordinator, research team, and the National Family
Advisory Circle. We also acknowledge those who led
the Métis Perspectives report.

7

We offer gratitude for the countless marches, rallies and awarenessraising campaigns which have occurred over the decades, including
when they were unpopular and unsafe to do. We are also grateful forthe grassroots organizations, Native Councils, Indigenous women’scentres, shelters, Friendship Centres, and communities who continue
to support Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,
families, and survivors with dignity, compassion, transparency, andaccountability. We also recognize others in Canada who have, andcontinue to, advocate for change.
We acknowledge the involvement of all Indigenous people,
including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, Indigenous
representative organizations, urban and rural Indigenous
communities, Indigenous women’s centres, shelters, and Friendship
Centres, as well as municipal and provincial/territorial governments,
and the Government of Canada. We appreciate those who supported
the work of the inquiries.

8

Message from the National
Family and Survivors Circle
The National Family and Survivors Circle (NFSC) forever holds in our hearts andminds Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who are missing, havebeen murdered, or are survivors of gender- and race-based violence. We recognize
and honour families and survivors and all those who participated in the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls that got us here
today in developing a National Action Plan. We also recognize some families andsurvivors have not yet had the opportunity to share their truth as the genocide
continues. They must be provided with opportunities to be involved for healing,
honouring, and commemorating their loved ones who are missing or were murdered.

As family members and survivors, the National Family“The Path Forward – Reclaiming Power and Place” isand Survivors Circle is dedicated to doing our part in

the National Family and Survivors Circle’s contribution

creating a Canada where Indigenous women, girls, andto the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,

2SLGBTQQIA+ people are valued and respected, free

Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action

to fully enjoy our Indigenous rights, including Inherent,

Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women,

Treaty, and Human Rights, and continue to reclaim ourGirls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. A summary of key

Power and Place with dignity and substantive equality.

components is provided in this National Action Plan

We agreed to participate in the National Action Plan

document. It is available in full at our website atprocess with the assurance that our lived experience,https://familysurvivorscircle.ca. “The Path Forward

expertise, and autonomy as family members and– Reclaiming Power and Place” highlights oursurvivors would guide the identification of strength

advocacy and guidance to the National Action Plan-based best practices and actions that would be

development partners.

included in the National Action Plan.
9

The National Family and Survivor’s Circle has

We all have a shared responsibility anddemonstrated how pathways can be formed

accountability for ending all forms of violence.

for full inclusion of families and survivors

Every day that we wait for action Indigenous

in the work. A decolonizing approach thatwomen, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

puts the lived experience, expertise, andcontinue to be murdered, go missing, orautonomy at the centre for transformative

experience violence at an alarming rate,

outcomes. The impacts from the actions

perpetuating a cycle where another generationmust be felt on the ground by Indigenousmust recover from violence. Political and social

women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families,

will is imperative for the success of the Nationaland survivors of gender- and race-based

Action Plan in response to the Calls for Justice.

violence. The process and outcomes must have

We are all part of the solution.

accountability mechanisms in place to measuretransformative change.

The National Family and Survivors Circle iscommitted to continually advocating that all

The 231 Calls for Justice, which includes

governments, agencies, and organizations

specific Inuit, Métis, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

who have a responsibility in ending theCalls for Justice, identified in the National

genocide against Indigenous women, girls,

Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people centre families

Women and Girls Final Report and the 21 Calls

and survivors in their work. The full andfor Justice identified in the Supplementary

independent involvement of families, survivors,

Report of the National Inquiry into Missing andand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people is a defining

Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Kepek-

aspect of a decolonizing approach in creating

Quebec are legal imperatives.

transformative change.
Let us come together in true partnership where
the lived experience, expertise, and autonomy
of families, survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people are recognized and integrated into
a decolonizing approach that confronts andchallenges colonialism and restores and builds
upon Indigenous knowledge systems andlaws. Past, present, and future generations arecounting on us.

10Message from theCore Working Group
We, the members of the Core Working Group, are honoured to present this 2021
National Action Plan in response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls entitled “Reclaiming Powerand Place” (the “National Inquiry”), which was released on June 3, 2019. The
National Action Plan also responds to the report entitled “Métis Perspectives ofMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People”, released onJune 30, 2019, by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO).

As advocates for ending violence against Indigenous

The National Action Plan is meant to be an overarching

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,

framework which connects the work of the National

representatives of our organizations, and as members

Family and Survivors Circle and the Contributingof the Core Working Group, many of whom arePartners but recognizes each of their different paths

survivors and family members, we recognize theand priorities. Therefore, the National Family andurgent need for action. Violence against Indigenous

Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners, and provinces

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people happens

and territories are developing their own strategies orwithin a broad social context shaped by systemic

action plans.

racism and colonialism. Therefore, change is required
across all governments and institutions, and by

Our work is not done – the 2021 National Action

all Canadians.

Plan is a first step towards ending all forms of genderand race-based violence. It is a living and evergreen

The Core Working Group is collaborating with the

document which lays the way forward and is adaptable

National Family and Survivors Circle and Contributing

so that changing needs can be incorporated. The next

Partners to co-develop a National Action Plan that will

step involves preparation of an implementation plan

drive transformative change to end systemic racism

with in-depth descriptions of short-, medium- andand violence against Indigenous women, girls, andlong-term priorities, and the identification of those

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Survivors and family members

responsible for implementation of each action, as well

are central in the development and implementation ofas milestones and required resources.

the Plan.
11

Introduction

Indigenous women and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people
hold a sacred place and equally crucial roles, are valued, and are integral toIndigenous communities.4 They come from a place of strength in culture,values, and tradition as leaders, knowledge keepers, providers, custodiansof culture, healers and/or caregivers. They are the voice pressing for atransformative process leading to change, advocating for prevention andthe end to gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. They have been demanding to be heard,
to be respected, to be treated equitably, to be secure, and to be safe.

The 2021 National Action Plan responds to the many demands to end violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It is meant tohonour and respect Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples’ values, philosophies,
knowledge systems, and agencies through the prioritization of Indigenous-led
solutions and services, developed in partnership and sustained through theadequate resourcing of this work. The National Action Plan is not meant to befrozen in time; it is evergreen, recognizing the urgency for immediate action, butalso the importance of continuing to cultivate transformative change over time.
This section briefly outlines the work of the National Inquiry into Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) (“National Inquiry”), and also
discusses the Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls andLGBTQ2S+ People report prepared by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO).

12

Call for Justice 1.1 of the National Inquiry5 says:

LFMO Call for Miskotahâ (the Michif word for change)

1.1 We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, municipal,

466 says:and Indigenous governments (hereinafter “allAction is required to develop an Implementation

governments”), in partnership with Indigenous

Committee to review the Calls for Justice in this report;

Peoples, to develop and implement a National Action

the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation

Plan to address violence against Indigenous women,Committee and the Métis Missing and Murderedgirls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, as recommended

Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report, Reclaimingin our Interim Report and in support of existingPower and Place.

recommendations by other bodies of inquiry andother reports. As part of the National Action Plan, weThis section also describes the development of a Core

call upon all governments to ensure that equitable

Working Group and the approach used to develop

access to basic rights such as employment, housing,

the National Action Plan. Appendix A provides a list

education, safety, and health care is recognized asof acronyms and Appendix B defines key terms useda fundamental means of protecting Indigenous andthroughout the Plan.

human rights, resourced and supported as rightsbased programs founded on substantive equality.

National Inquiry into Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and GirlsAll programs must be no-barrier, and must apply
regardless of Status or location.

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
Governments should:

experience higher rates of violence and are over-Table and implement a National Action Plan that

represented as victims of crime. Research has

is flexible and distinctions-based, and that includes

reported that violent victimization perpetrated

regionally specific plans with devoted funding andagainst Indigenous women is almost triple that oftimetables for implementation that are rooted

non-Indigenous women.7 Further, it has been foundin the local cultures and communities of diversethat Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more

Indigenous identities, with measurable goals andlikely to be murdered or missing than non-Indigenous

necessary resources dedicated to capacity building,women,8 a number that is even higher for Indigenous

sustainability, and long-term solutions.

women in the North.9 2SLGBTQQIA+ people areoften additionally targeted because of gender identity

Make publicly available on an annual basis reports

and/or sexual orientation, referred to as a “tripleof ongoing actions and developments in measurable

jeopardy” for various forms of interpersonal andgoals related to the National Action Plan.

institutional violence.10 Similarly, Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people with disabilities facesignificantly greater risks of violent victimization thannon-Indigenous people.11 However, the exact numberof missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls,
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada is unknown as
thousands of these deaths or disappearances havebeen unreported or misreported over the decades andindeed over centuries.1213After decades of advocacy from families, survivors,and other forms of violence that stem from the sameand grassroots organizations, including numerous

structures of colonization such as those who died fromcalls for a national inquiry into the alarming number

negligence, accidents, or suicide, or those whose causeof disappearances and murders of Indigenous women,of death is unknown or disputed.15 It also examined thegirls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada,13 iin 2016

underlying root causes of the violence. The National

the federal government and the 13 provincial andInquiry also chose to explicitly include First Nations,

territorial governments launched the National Inquiry

Métis, and Inuit and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.16 It also

into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andexpanded the notion of family to include “families ofGirls. The National Inquiry was mandated to report on:

the heart”, and witnesses who, although not biologicalfamily members, had familial relationships with those
who are missing or murdered.

Systemic causes of all forms of violence – including
sexual violence – against Indigenous womenand girls in Canada, including underlying social,

The National Inquiry began its work in September

economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes

2016, and for over two years gathered information

contributing to the ongoing violence and particularand heard from families and survivors, Indigenous

vulnerabilities of Indigenous women and girls in

leaders, knowledge keepers, communities, experts, andCanada, andinstitutions. On June 3, 2019, the Final Report of the
National Inquiry, entitled “Reclaiming Power and Place”,

Institutional policies and practices implemented

was released. The report focused on the underlying

in response to violence experienced by Indigenous

social economic, cultural, institutional, systemic,

women and girls in Canada, including theand historical causes, policies, and practices for theidentification and examination of practices thatongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, andhave been effective in reducing violence and

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as the contemporary
manifestations and impacts of these practices. Based14

increasing safety.

on the results of the Truth-Gathering Process, the
The National Inquiry’s mandate focused “all forms of

National Inquiry concluded that violence experienced

violence” against Indigenous women and girls, historic

by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

and ongoing, and was broadened to include issues

people amounts to genocide.17

such as family violence; institutional racism in healthcare, child welfare, policing, and the justice system;

The violence the National Inquiry heard about amounts to a race-based genocideof Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, which especiallytargets women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. This genocide has been empoweredby colonial structures, evidenced notably by the Indian Act, the Sixties Scoop,residential schools and breaches of human and Indigenous rights, leading directly tothe current increased rates of violence, death, and suicide in Indigenous populations.
14

United Nations spokesperson Ravina

industries, such as hospitality, resource

Shamdasani called for the Canadian

extraction and development; the media;

government to take action to assess theand all Canadians. The National Inquiry also

serious claims raised in the National Inquiry,

released a supplementary report focusing on

saying “The National Inquiry found reasons to

specific issues facing Indigenous women andbelieve that Canada’s past and present policies,

girls in Québec, which contained an additionalomissions and actions amount to genocide, under

21 Calls for Justice.20 It also published ainternational law”.18

supplementary report explaining its basis forthe claim of genocide.21

The National Inquiry’s Final report also statedthat violence experienced by Indigenous

In 2019, LFMO also prepared a report

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are

specifically focusing on the issues facing Métis

abuses and violations of Indigenous human

women, girls and gender diverse people andrights that include inherent, Treaty, andreflecting their unique histories and realities.

Constitutional rights, and have resulted in the

The report identified 62 Calls for Miskotahâ

denial of safety, security, and human dignity.

(the Michif word for change) which focus on

19

the lack of data specific to Métis women andUltimately, and despite different
circumstances and backgrounds,
what connects all these deaths
is colonial violence, racism
and oppression

girls, intergovernmental affairs, engagement,(National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered

Women and Girls on June 3, 2019, the Prime

Indigenous Women and Girls)

Minister committed to developing a National

services, child welfare, jurisdiction, criminal
justice, health, prevention, and awareness.22
At the closing ceremony of the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous

Action Plan to address violence against
The National Inquiry identified 231 Calls for

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

Justice under the following themes: culture,people and turning the National Inquiry’s

health and wellness, human security, andCalls for Justice into real and meaningful

justice; as well as some Calls for Justice under

Indigenous-led action:

the area of “human and Indigenous rights andgovernmental obligations”. The report also

“We will develop and implement a National

includes specific Calls for Justice directed at

Action Plan to address violence against

confronting violence against Métis, Inuit andIndigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ

2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. The Calls for Justiceand Two-Spirit people. We will work with

were directed at all levels of government,

Indigenous partners to determine next steps,

including federal, provincial/territorial,

and we will include the perspectives and fullmunicipal, Indigenous; institutions; service

participation of Indigenous women and girls.

providers, such as health care, child welfare,education, justice services, transportation;

15

We will also include the voices of LGBTQ and“Safety for Inuit women is complex. If we

Two-Spirit people with lived experience, as

are to deal with the root causes of violence,well as the family members of victims, andwe must stop the cycle of discrimination

survivors of violence. We will also continue

and the cycles of physical and sexual abuse.

to work with provinces, territories, andTo do that, we need the full commitment

municipalities to encourage cooperationof governments and communities. If weacross all orders of government in responding

don’t work together to implement Inuit-led

to the report. Reducing the rates of violencesolutions, Inuit women and their children willagainst Indigenous women and girls, andcontinue to be in danger”. (Rebecca Kudloo,

Indigenous LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people,

President, Pauktuutit Inuit Womenis a priority for the Government of Canada.

of Canada)26

Our government will turn the Inquiry’s Calls
for Justice into real, meaningful, Indigenous-“We’re relieved that the final report of the

led action”23

national inquiry has been tabled. Now, we
can press forward with our work to advocate

Provincial/territorial and Indigenous

for systemic and the whole of government

governments, as well as Indigenous

approaches to ending violence againstorganizations and leaders responded to the

all Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA

findings from the National Inquiry’s report,

people.” (Melanie Omeniho, President ofhighlighting the importance of including

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak)27

Indigenous organizations, survivors, andfamily members in the response to the Calls“[The Assembly of First Nations] callfor Justice. For example:

upon the Federal government to ensurethat all engagement on a National Action“We are committed to developing a path

Plan be carried out using the ‘Families

forward to end violence against IndigenousFirst’ approach.” (Assembly of First

women and girls that will be directly

Nations Resolution)28

informed by survivors, family members andcommunities.” (British Columbia Premier“We are here to honour the lost women andJohn Horgan)24

girls. We’re hopeful that full implementationof the Calls to Justice would lead to“Be it resolved that Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

greater safety, security and empowerment

work with the Inuit regions, Pauktuutitof our constituency.” (National Chief

and the National Inuit Youth Council to

Robert Bertrand, Congress offacilitate the full implementation of all Calls

Aboriginal Peoples)29

to Justice contained in the Final Reportof the National Inquiry.” (Inuit Tapiriit
Kanatami Resolution)25

16

“The process for developing and implementing the
National Action Plan… must not only be dictated bygovernments alone. It must be distinctions-based,

This begins with recognizing the truth. For
non-Indigenous Canadians, this means
rethinking commonly held stereotypes,
and confronting racism in every context.
For Indigenous Peoples, this means using
the truth to rebuild our lives, our families,
our communities and Canada itself. And forgovernments, this means nothing less thana new and decolonized social order; it is an
opportunity to transform and to rebuild in
real partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

it must be First Nation women-led, and most of all,it has to reflect the voice of the survivors and family
members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls.” (Ontario Regional Chief Rose Anne
Archibald)30“[Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak] will work
to implement recommendations but I also call on
all other levels of government to do what theycan.” (Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Manitoba
Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.)31
As will be described in the next section, the federal(National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered

government created a Core Working Group to

Indigenous Women and Girls)

respond to the 231 Calls for Justice from the National
Inquiry and the 62 Calls to Miskotahâ from the Métis
Perspectives report released by LFMO.

Developing a Core Working GroupThe National Inquiry called for the federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments,
in partnership with Indigenous people, to develop and implement a National Action Plan that responds tothe 231 Calls for Justice. In addition, LFMO called for action to implement the 62 Calls to Miskotahâ which
focus on Métis women, girls, and gender diverse people. To achieve this, governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous), Indigenous representative organizations, and Indigenous partners andcommunities from across the country are contributing to the National Action Plan to make the necessarychanges to ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are safe wherever they are,32
now and in the future. It is recognized that gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls,
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people happens within a broad social context shaped by systemic racism and colonialism
and that transformative change is required across governments and institutions, and by all Canadians.
In response to the National Inquiry’s Call for Justice 1.1, and LFMO’s Call for Miskotahâ 46, the federal
government created a Core Working Group in 2020 to lead the development of the National Action Plan.
The following illustrates the structure utilized to develop the National Action Plan.

17

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are at the centre of the National Action Plan, because they
represent the focus and heart of the Plan. The inner circle represents survivors, families and the National Family
and Survivors Circle who provide advice on development of the National Action Plan. The Core Working Group
represents the third circle, responsible for leading the National Action Plan. Finally, the outer circle includes
First Nations, Inuit, the Métis Nation, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Urban, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, data, andfederal Contributing Partners33, as well as provincial/territorial representatives, who have developed their own
strategies or action plans. Other Indigenous partners and grassroots service organizations were, and continue tobe, engaged.

The Core Working Group is co-chaired by: Federal Co-Chair: Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister, Provincial/Territorial Co-Chair: Valerie Royle,

Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Senior

Deputy Minister, Women’s Directorate; Deputy

Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage,

Minister, Tourism and Culture; Deputy Minister,

Government of Canada

French Languages Services Directorate,
Government of Yukon
18

Members of the Core Working Group include: Chair of Sub-Working Group of the Congress Co-Chair of National Family and Survivors Circle:
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Manager, Missing andof Aboriginal Peoples: President and Chief Lisa

Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison

Cooper, Native Council of Prince Edward Island

Unit, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

 Co-Chair of Federal Sub-Working Group: Co-Chair of National Family and Survivors Circle:

Claudette Dumont-Smith, Special Advisor, CrownIndigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Denise Pictou-Maloney, Family Member Co-Chair of Federal Sub-Working Group: Mary- Rose Mary Cooper, Acting Executive Director,

Luisa Kapelus, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister,

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Co-Chair of Inuit Sub-Working Group: Tracy

CanadaSarazin, Manager, Health and Social Development, Provincial/Territorial Representative: Rachel

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Holmes, Executive Lead, Strategic Public Safety Chair of Métis Nation Sub-Working Group:

Initiatives, British Columbia Ministry of Public

Melanie Omeniho, President, Les Femmes

Safety and Solicitor General

Michif Otipemisiwak
 Chair of First Nations Sub-Working Group:

The established mandate of the Core Working Group

Chief Connie Big Eagle, Ocean Man First Nation,is to develop a National Action Plan, including theAssembly of First Nations’ Women’s Council

following activities:

 Chair of Urban Sub-Working Group: Diane
Redsky, Executive Director, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Leading the development of the framework

Centreand the common components of the National

 Chair of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group:

Action Plan, in particular the vision, guiding

Sylvia Maracle, E xecutive Director, Ontario

principles, common priorities, desired outcomes,

Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

and the accountability/results structure for
implementation.

 Co-Chair of Data Sub-Working Group: Karine Collaborating with the National Family and

Duhamel, Former Director of Research for the
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered

Survivors Circle to advocate for family members

Indigenous Women and Girlsof missing and murdered Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and survivors

 Co-Chair of Data Sub-Working Group: Carolof gender- and race-based violence to be

Hopkins, Executive Director, Thunderbird

meaningfully included in the development andPartnership Foundation

implementation of the National Action Plan.

19 Engaging with the Data Sub-Working Group to Liaising with key Indigenous advocates, front-

ensure that a data strategy is developed to support

line service workers, and leaders, as well as

the monitoring and evaluation of the National

federal-provincial-territorial stakeholders, on the

Action Plan as it is implemented.

development and implementation of the National
Action Plan, as needed.

 Liaising with the First Nations, Inuit, Métis Nation,

 Providing strategic direction to theand Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Contributing
Partners to ensure that the National Action Plan

Contributing Partners.

reflects the distinct Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

The Core Working Group has accomplished a Liaising with the Urban Contributing Partner

significant portion of its mandate. However, theto ensure urban issues are included in the

National Plan is an evergreen document, and thedevelopment and implementation of the National

development of the desired outcomes and theAction Plan.

accountability/results structure for implementation
will be completed as part of the implementation plan.

 Liaising with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Contributing

In addition, Contributing Partners will continue thePartner to ensure 2SLGBTQQIA+ people’s

work on their action plans.

issues are included in the development andimplementation of the National Action Plan.

The Core Working Group draws upon the lived

 Liaising with the Federal Contributing Partner toexperience, expertise, and agency of families andensure that the federal contribution is included insurvivors and connects the work of the Contributing

the development of the National Action Plan.

Partners to develop an overarching National Action
Plan to end inequalities that contribute to the Liaising with provincial/territorial representatives
on the development and implementation of thedisproportionately high levels of violence against

National Action Plan.

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
It is important to share each other’s strengths, respect
diversity, and ground the work in Indigenous values
and governance systems rooted in land, culture,spirituality, and relationships.

20

National Action Plan
The Core Working Group acknowledges and receives

Even though the National Action Plan has been

the findings and the 231 Calls for Justice from theco-developed, the distinct plans or strategies were

National Inquiry, and the 62 Calls for Miskotahâ fromdeveloped by the National Family and Survivors

LFMO’s report. The Core Working Group, National

Circle, individual Contributing Partners and theFamily and Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners,

provinces/territories. The National Action Plan andand provincial/territorial representatives reviewed

the Contributing Partners plans are interconnected,

and made decisions to incorporate specific Calls forbut the National Action does not necessarily

Justice and Calls for Miskotahâ into their respective

represent all aspects of each unique plan and/or

strategies or plans. This was also an opportunity tostrategy. Further, Core Working Group members may

identify and address any gaps or priorities that haveor may not concur with Contributing Partners’ plans

emerged since the 231 Calls for Justice and 62 Calls

or strategies in part or in whole.

for Miskotahâ were identified.
Importantly, the National Action Plan is meant to
To ensure Indigenous families, survivors, women, girls,

be a living document that lays a strong foundationand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people’s voices, perspectives,

but is evergreen and adaptable so that changing

worldviews, and lived experiences are at the centre ofneeds can be incorporated when developing and

the National Action Plan, over 100 Indigenous women,

implementing the path forward. A comprehensive and

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and others contributed to thecomplementary implementation plan for the National

development of a National Action Plan.

Action Plan, including Indigenous-led actions, will
be developed with expected outcomes, activities,

Drawing upon the experience and expertise of family

and timelines. Further, reporting and accountability

members and survivors, the National Action Planmechanisms will be created, including regular updates

is meant to be an overarching plan which identifies

to ensure the plan remains meaningful and effective

the necessary activities that must be taken by

and to track progress in a way that captures thegovernments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal,

impact of actions “on the ground”.

Indigenous), organizations, and communities acrossthe country to address violence against Indigenous

Key sections of the 2021 National Action

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Rooted inPlan include:

the unique needs, experiences, and cultural contexts
 The Vision and Guiding Principles for theof Indigenous people and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, theNational Action Plan

National Action Plan is a series of interlinked, interrelated plans which represent the distinct and unique The Goals of the National Action Planinterests, priorities, and circumstances of Indigenous The common short-term priorities for thepeople. Within this past year, the National Family

National Action Planand Survivors Circle, the Contributing Partners, andprovinces/territories have been developing their Summaries of Action Plans/Strategies fromstrategies/action plans which together make up thethe National Family and Survivors Circle,

National Action Plan.

Contributing Partners, and provinces/territories
 Discussion of immediate next steps and ideas formonitoring progress
21

Overarching Vision andGuiding Principles
VisionWe envision a transformed Canada where Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, wherever they are,34 live freefrom violence, and are celebrated, honoured, respected, valued,
treated equitably, safe, and secure.

Guiding Principles
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls’ Final Report included seven Principles of Change intended
to guide the development and the implementation of the 231 Calls for
Justice. The Core Working Group used these Principles of Change as
the foundation for the Guiding Principles that underlie the National
Action Plan. The Guiding Principles support the creation of meaningful,immediate, lasting, and sustainable transformative change in the lives
and situations of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
The Guiding Principles were also informed by human rights
instruments, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples which affirms and upholds the inherent rights andresponsibilities of Indigenous Peoples,35 the United Nations Convention
on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women,36 and theUnited Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.37

22

 Human rights: all human rights are universal,
indivisible, interdependent and inter-related.
Indigenous Peoples hold international anddomestic human rights, including inherent
rights, Treaty rights, and Constitutional rights.
The Guiding Principles for the National Action Plan are

Governments have legal obligations to ensure

as follows:that these individual and collective rights ofIndigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

1. Honour the strength of Indigenous women, girls,

people are fully respected, promoted,

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and support them inand upheld.

reclaiming their sacred roles and responsibilities

 Responsibilities: when promoting and protecting

 Focus on reclaiming the power, place, andtheir Indigenous human rights that includedignity of Indigenous women, girls, andinherent, Treaty, and Constitutional rights,

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Indigenous people have the responsibility ofrespecting one another, the earth, and theircultural heritage.

2. Include families and survivors throughout theimplementation of the National Action Plan

4. Support a distinctions-based approach to The lived experience of families and survivors
provide critical insight, perspectives, andensure that the unique rights, interests andsolutions for transformative change - they arecircumstances of First Nations, Métis and Inuit

the heart of this change.

are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented
 Recognizes the rights including the right to self- Family includes all forms of familial kinshipincluding, but not limited to, biological families,

determination, unique interests and priorities

chosen families, and families of the heart.

of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit grounded in
the promise of section 35 of the Constitution
Act, 1982.38

3. Focus on substantive equality and Indigenous
human rights that include inherent, Treaty, and

5. Respect intersectional and diverse perspectives,

Constitutional rights, and responsibilities ofand be inclusive of all Indigenous women, girls,

Indigenous Peoples

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people no matter where

 Substantive equality: identical treatment canthey aresometimes result in inequality, so unique Intersectional: there is a need to account formeasures may need to be taken to achieve
true equality in outcomes to address historicalthe multifaceted and interconnecting aspects

disadvantages, intergenerational trauma,that make up an individual’s identity, including

and discrimination.

ethnicity, cultural identity, sex, gender identity
or expression, sexual orientation, ability, class,and geographical location.

23

 Diverse perspectives: individuals have differing

8. Co-develop, co-implement, and co-manage theexperiences based on their diverse identities

National Action Planand histories. We must ensure inclusion ofintersecting aspects of identity to meaningfully Recognize that everyone has a role to play inacknowledge and address the specific realities,

ending violence against Indigenous women,barriers, and challenges not only between,

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. This includes

but within, First Nations, Inuit, and Métisco-developing a National Action Plan,

communities and individuals.

including a broad spectrum of engagement andcollaboration that enables all governments(federal, provincial/territorial, municipal,

6. Base the National Action Plan on the recognitionof Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination

Indigenous), Indigenous representative Indigenous Peoples have the right to self-reflecting their own priorities and capacities.

organizations and other partners to contribute,

determination. By virtue of that right they

 To ensure that impacts are felt on the groundfreely determine their political status and freely

by Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+

pursue their economic, social, and cultural

people, families, and survivors of violence, alldevelopment.39

governments (federal, provincial/territorial,
municipal, Indigenous), in partnership with

7. Utilize a decolonizing approach, including being

Indigenous representative organizations,culturally informed and culturally safe

will co-implement and co-manage their Decolonizing approach: involves challenging

commitments in the National Action Plan. This

colonial influences and dismantling andwill ensure accountability on the next steps ofreplacing or adapting structures that

the National Action Plan.

perpetuate the status quo using Indigenous
worldviews and perspectives.

9. Build on evidence, and ensure the National
Action Plan is sustainable and evergreen

 Culturally informed: acknowledges, respects, andintegrates Indigenous cultural values, beliefs,

 The National Action Plan should be based on

and practices. Rooted in a recognition of theinformed decisions that are built on evidence,

importance of the land, culture, language, andlearning, and understanding of what works to

Indigenous-led approaches, it encourages theend violence against Indigenous women, girls,

revitalization and flourishing of Indigenous

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

cultures, languages, and traditional knowledge.

 The National Action Plan must be sustainable Culturally safe: recognizes and addresses powerby all governments (i.e., federal, provincial/imbalances and inequities, enabling services andterritorial, municipal, Indigenous) identifying

processes that are holistic, spiritually, socially,and prioritizing resources to supportand emotionally safe and allow reclaiming

implementation of the Plan.

of power by Indigenous women, girls, and As an evergreen document, the National Action

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Plan is living and changing, adapting to shifting
priorities or circumstances over time.

24

GoalsTo achieve the vision for the National Action
Plan, the Core Working Group identified thefollowing goals which are meant to preventand end violence against Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and ensure
equitable access to basic rights40:

1. Achieve transformative changes in attitudes,

5. Develop a national Indigenous human rights

behaviours, and knowledge within the broader

accountability mechanism focused on Indigenous

society to prevent and end the root causes

human rights that include inherent, Treaty, andof systemic racism, inequality, injustice, andConstitutional rights. This mechanism will create

violence against Indigenous women, girls, andshared accountability for upholding those rights

2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada.

regarding gender- and race-based violence.

2. Keep families and survivors at the centre of the

6. Support transformational change in laws, policies,

process and provide concrete support to survivors

and systems across Canada in justice, health andand families of missing and murdered Indigenous

wellness, human security, culture, and Indigenous

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

human rights that include inherent, Treaty, andConstitutional rights.

3. Support the delivery of programs and services
by Indigenous organizations, including at the7. Establish a culturally appropriate Indigenous

grassroots level, to address all forms of gender-

data infrastructure reflective of Indigenous andand race-based violence.

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, based on Indigenous data
sovereignty and distinctions-based indicators.

4. Address the broader root causes of violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

25

National Action Plan Common
Short-Term Priorities
The National Action Plan focuses on ending violence against Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The first step in the National
Action Plan is to identify short-term priorities which are similar among
the Contributing Partners. Following this, an implementation plan will be
developed which will include medium- and long-term priorities, as well
as specific actions for each priority, timelines, resources, and who will be
responsible for achieving each action. Further, as an evergreen document,
it is recognized that the National Action Plan will continue to grow andchange as priorities shift or change, or as new priorities are identified.

As all governments, Indigenous organizations and

The short-term priorities identified in the table below

communities strive to create change through action,

draw upon common priorities of the National Family

these priorities focus on what can, at a minimum,

and Survivors Circle and the Contributing Partners,

be started within one to three years. However, it isand as agreed-upon by the Core Working Group.

recognized that some priorities will take longer than

However, it is important to look at the National Family

three years to fully implement. Furthermore, someand Survivors Circle and the Contributing Partners’communities, regions, Indigenous organizations, orplans for greater detail on priorities and activities

governments may prioritize activities differently

identified for their groups.

in their unique plans. The priorities are linked tothe themes of the National Inquiry and LFMO
Perspectives report, as well as the 231 Calls for Justiceand 62 Calls for Miskotahâ. The Guiding Principles of
the National Action Plan are designed to ensure all
actions are Indigenous led and co-developed, and that
programs and services are community driven.

26

National Inquiry into Missing

Les Femmes Michif

and Murdered Indigenous

Otipemisiwak

Women and Girls
Goal

Short-Term Priorities

ThemesCalls for
Justice

ThemesPrevention &1. Achievea. Public education/awareness

Culture;1.9; 11.1;

transformative

campaigns on the issues Indigenous

Human

16.23; 17.24; Awarenesschanges in attitudes,

people experience and to challenge

Security;

18.1; 18.19-

behaviours, andthe acceptance and normalization of Health &knowledge within

violence

the broader society

Calls forMiskotahâ
60-62

18.21

Wellness;
Justiceto prevent and end

b. Trauma-informed training forthe root causes ofCulture7.6; 10.1;

Inter-

6; 30; 49;

those who work with Indigenous

16.27; 17.8;

governmental

58

systemic racism,

people on topics such as history,

17.13; 17.24; Affairs; Childinequality, injustice,culture, issues, anti-racism, anti-

17.29; 18.1;

and violencesexism, anti-homophobia, anti-

18.13; 18.18- Implementation

against Indigenoustransphobia, etc.

18.20; 18.26; Committee;

women, girls, and18.32

Welfare;Health &Wellness

2SLGBTQQIA+
people in Canada
2. Keep families

a. Continuous and accessible

Health &and survivors at

community-led healing programs

Wellnessthe centre of theand support for children of missing

process and provide

and murdered Indigenous women,

concrete support togirls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and

3.7

Services23

19-20; 22;

survivors and families family membersof missing andb. Comprehensive approach to

Health &5.6; 16.29;

Services;

murdered Indigenous support Indigenous victims andWellness;

17.28

Criminal Justice 40; 45

women, girls, andfamilies/friends of Indigenous

Justice

2SLGBTQQIA+

murdered or missing persons,peoplesuch as victim services, family

9.5vii--information liaison units, legal
services, access to coroner/hospital
reports, media, etc.
c. Nationwide emergency number

Human
Security27--

National Inquiry into Missing

Les Femmes Michif

and Murdered Indigenous

Otipemisiwak

Women and Girls
Goal

Short-Term Priorities

ThemesCalls for
Justice

3. Support thea. Indigenous-led prevention andHuman

1.8; 3.2-3.3;

delivery of programs

healing programs, education, andSecurity;

7.3; 7.9; 11.2;

and services

awareness campaigns for Indigenous Health &16.7; 16.9;

by Indigenous

families and communities related

16.22; 16.24;

organizations,to violence prevention and lateralincluding at theviolence

grassroots level, tob. Creation of shelters and second-

Human

4.7; 16.19;

address all forms ofstage/transition housing

Security

18.25

4. Address thea. Implement initial steps to ensure

Humanbroader root

stable and sustainable housing and

Securitycauses of violenceclose the housing gap between

against Indigenous

Indigenous people and non-

women, girls, andIndigenous Canadians

2SLGBTQQIA+

b. Immediate action to implement

Health &peopleinfrastructure to ensure access to

Wellness

Wellness

ThemesCalls forMiskotahâServices

18-19; 24

Services25

4.6; 16.18;

Inter-

8; 26

18.25

governmental

17.20; 17.27

gender- and racebased violence

Affairs; Services

15.1; 16.5----

4.5; 16.20

Inter-

8; 27

high-speed Internetc. Guaranteed annual livable income Human
Security

governmental
Affairs; Services

d. Support Indigenous-led initiatives Culture;

2.4; 2.5; 16.4; Services

for Indigenous individuals, families,

Health &17.7; 17.25-

and communities to access cultural

Wellness

17.26; 18.1;

knowledge and 2SLGBTQQIA+

18; 21

18.7; 18.17

programs and services
e. 24-hour in-person support system Health &3.4; 16.7;

Services;for Indigenous women, girls, and17.23; 18.27

Health &Wellness

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, such as

23; 53Wellness

wraparound mental health services,trauma, addictions, etc.
f. Governments recognize

Health &1.2v; 2.2;

Indigenous self-determination andWellness

12.1; 12.10;

inherent jurisdiction over child

17.17

welfare, and support enhancements
for child and family services

28

Child Welfare

28-29; 3133; 35-37

National Inquiry into Missingand Murdered Indigenous
Women and Girls
Goal

Short-Term Priorities

Themes

5. Develop a national a. Oversight bodies, such as
Indigenous human

Indigenous Ombudsperson, Humanrights accountability

Rights Tribunal, or civilian police

mechanism focusedoversight bodies to represent theJustice

Calls for
Justice
1.7; 5.7;

Les Femmes Michif
Otipemisiwak
ThemesCalls forMiskotahâCriminal Justice 39

16.43

on Indigenous human interests of families, survivors,
rights that include

and communities by investigating

inherent, Treaty, andand addressing complaints of mal-

Constitutional rights. administration or violation of rights
This mechanism

b. National task force which reviews

Humanwill create shared

and re-investigates unresolved files

Security;

accountability forof missing and murdered Indigenous Justice9.9; 9.10

Criminal Justice 39

1.10; 1.11

Consultation &upholding the human women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
rights of Indigenous

people; and police services toPeoples regarding

provide unresolved cases of missing

gender-based

and murdered Indigenous women,

violence

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people tothe task force
c. Make the National Inquiry’s

Justicepublic record accessible and report

Engagement;

annually to Parliament on the Calls

Implementation

for Justice; implement LFMO Calls

Committee

for Miskotahâ

29

16; 46-48

National Inquiry into Missing

Les Femmes Michif

and Murdered Indigenous

Otipemisiwak

Women and Girls
Goal

Short-Term Priorities

ThemesCalls for
Justice

6. Support aa. Justice Reform Committee toparadigm shift inreview legislation regarding gender-

5.14; 5.16-

policies and systems

based violence, including missing

5.20; 14.3

across Canada

persons legislation

which definesb. Acknowledge, recognize, andCulture;transformative

protect the rights of Indigenous

Justicechange in justice,

Peoples to their cultures andhealth and wellness,languages as inherent rights

human security,c. Implement Gladue principles that

culture, andcontribute to addressing systemic

Indigenous humanbarriers, increase the involvement

rights that include

of Indigenous communities andinherent, Treaty, andorganizations in rehabilitating

Constitutional rights

offenders, and reduce the risk ofJustice

Themes5.2; 5.3; 5.8;

Calls forMiskotahâ

--

--

2.1

--

--

Justice

5.15; 14.5

Criminal Justice 42-43

d. Create a Deputy Commissioner

Human

5.23; 11.1;

Criminal Justice 44

for Indigenous Corrections andSecurity;

14.7

address issues for Indigenous

Justicefuture harm

women and 2SLGBTQQIA+
offenders, such as prohibitingtransfer of women prisoners to maletreatment centres; and increased
opportunities for education/training
in prison
7. Establish aa. Address issues related to theHumanculturally appropriate accurate tracking of data on missing

9.5v

Security

Identity, Data
Collection

Indigenous data

and murdered Indigenous women,& Research;

infrastructure

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

Services

reflective of

b. Collect disaggregated data (Inuit,

Culture;16.6; 16.44;

Identify, Data

Indigenous andMétis, and First Nations) to report on Health &17.2; 18.3;

Collection

2SLGBTQQIA+

violence against Indigenous women,

Wellness;

18.4& Research;people, based on

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and

Human

Indigenous dataon progress and the effectiveness of

Security;

sovereignty andlaws, policies, and services

Justice

culturally rooted andc. Collect distinctions-based andJusticedistinctions-based

intersectional data about Indigenous

Collection

indicators

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+& Research;people in the criminal justice system

Criminal Justice
30

2; 22

2-3; 5; 22Services

5.24; 16.31

Identity, Data4; 41National Family and Survivors Circle
National Family and Survivors Circle
Vision and Mission
The National Family and Survivors Circle’s contribution to the2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence
Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People isentitled “The Path Forward – Reclaiming Power and Place”. The
complete document is accessible at https://familysurvivorscircle.ca.

This content is a summary of key components fromThe National Family and Survivors Circle (the “NFSC”)

Confronting and Disrupting Colonialism– Understanding Violence and Genocide

envisions a reality where Indigenous women, girls,

The National Inquiry identified four pathways thatand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people continue to reclaim ourcontinue to enforce the historic and contemporary

Power and Place in our lands, territories, and within

manifestations of colonialism, and that continue

our Nations, Peoples, and communities. The role of thethe genocide. Confronting and disrupting these

NFSC in working towards this vision is to continuallyfour pathways of trauma, social and economic

advocate that all governments, agencies, andmarginalization, lack of will to change, and ignoringorganizations who have a responsibility in ending thethe agency and expertise of Indigenous women,

genocide, centre families and survivors in their work.

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and families andWe are committed to working with them to assist in

survivors, is crucial in creating transformative change.

creating pathways for families and survivors to be

Understanding violence and genocide is critical to aengaged in this work through true partnerships that

decolonizing approach. It must be recognized thatare decolonizing and dignified.

violence is inherent to the colonial state, past and“The Path Forward – Reclaiming Power and Place.”

present. In a colonial context, language is widely used
to conceal violence, obscure offender responsibility,
conceal victim responses and resistance, and blameand pathologize victims.

31

Justice demands that the voices of those

Implementation of the Calls for Justice

who have been directly harmed are heard.

must be informed by all Principles for

Genocide is the word used by many families,

Change and by the Four Pillars developed

survivors, and witnesses that shared theirby the NFSC. The NFSC’s understanding

truths with the National Inquiry. Based onof the Principles for Change are provided

the application of international and domestic

in our complete document. Further insightlegal understandings of genocide to these

into the principles of “Cultural Safety”, totruths and evidence gathered by the National

include “Cultural Humility” which speaks

Inquiry, the Final Report concluded thatto the dismantling of the ideas that colonial

the violence Indigenous women, girls, andcultures are the norm and superior, and of

2SLGBTQQIA+ people are subjected to and“Trauma-informed Approaches”, to include

are targeted for amounts to a race-based“Dignified Approaches” which speaks to the

genocide. The efforts to end the genocide, togoal of always working in ways that respect

repair the harm caused and heal individuallypeople and their realities and that upholdand collectively, must now match, andtheir dignity. Both are consistent with our

exceed, the intentions and actions that fueled

understanding of violence and genocide

the genocide.

discussed earlier.

The Path Forward: A Decolonizing
Approach that Centres Families
and Survivors

The Four Pillars relate to working with

The path forward for transformativechange involves a decolonizing approachthat centres families and survivors and our
lived experience, expertise, and agency.
A Decolonizing Approach is a Principle for
Change identified in the Calls for Justice. It is“a way of doing things differently; it challenges
colonial influence under which we live bymaking space for Indigenous perspectives
that are often cast aside.”41 An interconnected
Principle for Change is Inclusion of Families
and Survivors which recognizes that “theimplementation of the Calls for Justice must
include the perspective and participation ofIndigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people with lived experience, including
families of the missing and murdered andsurvivors of violence.”42

32

families and survivors and are fundamental
in properly applying the Principles for
Change. They must further inform the
Guiding Principles as defined in the “Guiding
Principles” section of the National Action Plan.
Inclusion is about taking a lived experiencecentred approach that recognizing the agency,
knowledge, experience, and expertise as
valuable and a key part of the information
guiding all decisions. Interconnectedness iscentral to Indigenous worldview and in thecontext of implementing the National Action
Plan, speaks to how all governments, agencies,
and organizations need to ground their workwith families and survivors that respects
their interconnectedness with each other,
the interconnected nature of the root causes
and solutions, and must take a “whole ofgovernment” approach in their work including
the need for jurisdictional cooperationand partnerships.

Shared accountability involves the will to support and

The NFSC believes all Calls for Justice are priorities.

carry out transformative changes at all levels. Specific

We recognize the challenges with coordinatedmechanisms and forums to report on actions taken

implementation and the need to be strategic in orderand to track and monitor effectiveness are essential

to be effective. We have identified 30 Immediate

to hold all governments, agencies, and organizations

Actions, the corresponding Calls for Justice, and theaccountable. They must include families and survivors

governments, agencies, institutions, and organizations

within them and be accessible and transparent

that, with the inclusion of families, survivors, andby providing direct, clear, and comprehensive

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, have obligations to takecommunications to families and survivors. Impact

action. They focus on prevention, supports for families

speaks to how actions must be felt on the groundand survivors, and systemic issues. We believe theby Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,

Calls for Justice are interconnected and inseparable.

families, and survivors. Families and survivors should
An Accountability Framework is imperative in

be included in evaluation and monitoring processes.

ensuring the Calls for Justice are actioned in a way
Giving life to our vision and ending the genocidethat dismantles colonial structures and ends therequires us collectively reaching six Goals identified

genocide. An Independent oversight body must beby the NFSC: 1) profound and sustained political andat arm’s length of all governments, agencies, andinstitutional will, demonstrated through concreteorganizations and must have the legal authority tocommitments and responsive actions; 2) keeping

require reports from all governments, agencies, andfamilies, survivors, and Indigenous women, girls,

organizations who have responsibility to implementand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people central to decision

the Calls for Justice and the National Action Plan.

making, actions, and tracking success; 3) actions

It should be inclusive of families and survivors.

must be rooted in the recognition of Indigenous

Recourse is related to this oversight body and speaks

women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families,

to a mechanism for reversing rights violations andand survivors as rights holders and respect theirabuses. We believe the best body for these matters

unique distinctions and needs; 4) actions must be

would be the National Indigenous and Human Rights

designed and implemented through an Indigenous

Ombudsperson as called for in Call for Justice 1.7. All

holistic, interconnected lens; 5) measuring successgovernments should take concrete actions towards

through an Indigenous worldview and throughestablishing this position before June 3, 2022. In thethe lived experience of Indigenous women, girls,

interim and while the office of the Ombudsperson

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families, and survivors; and 6)

is being established, the NFSC believes Canada

accountability and recourse.

must engage international bodies at the United
Nations level to play an oversight role in Canada’s
implementation of the Calls for Justice and the
National Action Plan.

33

Other characteristics of an accountability framework include: safeguards timelines and mechanisms to ensure continuation of implementation evenwhen government or organizational leadership changes; transparency
and accessibility - for Indigenous families, survivors, women, girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ people being able to easily access information about
actions being taken with clear and frequent communication to families andsurvivors; and measuring transformative processes and transformative
outcomes through Indigenous Data Sovereignty, decolonizing data, andproper data infrastructure.
All families that want to be part of the process must be provided pathwaysfor engagement with partners in the National Action Plan implementation
work to come. As the holders of expert knowledge and experience, the
NFSC members and all families and survivors, are all subject matter
experts. Our expertise is the evidence upon which decisions need tobe made. We are prepared to work with all partners to coordinate andvalidate efforts. Mutual and clear understanding of structure, process
and roles and responsibilities now and moving forward will be key tosupporting relationships. Families and survivors must see their expertiseand agency in processes and in the outcomes. This cannot be limited to
the NFSC: all families and survivors, especially families and survivors fromdistinct Nations, Peoples, and communities, should see their expertise andagency inform and be included by partners responsible for implementationof the National Action Plan and the Calls for Justice. Further, their
inclusion must respect their agency, freedom and independence of thought,
perspective, and beliefs. When families and survivors are engaged throughvarious pathways, these pathways, and the work to be done transparently
will provide certainty of roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
As the members of the NFSC we take our role in this process as a sacredresponsibility. As the NFSC members we remain committed to this process,and we remind all partners to think about how we work together.

34

First Nations

Assembly Of First Nations

NOTE TO READER: This summary provides a brief

A First Nations Action Plan to End Violence
Against Indigenous Women, Girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ People

overview of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)

BackgroundSupporting Families and Survivors

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national

There is an urgent need for “wrap-around” services

representative body of 634 First Nations and Firstfor families and survivors. Some examples of services

Nations citizens across Canada, regardless of where

needed include toolkits or information on what

they reside. The AFN is comprised of several main

immediate actions to take when experiencing violence

organs including the Women’s Council. The AFN

or when a loved one goes missing or is murdered.

Women’s Council works with the AFN Secretariat to

Families and survivors also require mental healthensure that the concerns and perspectives of Firstand grief supports as well as information on police

Nations women inform the work of the AFN. This First

procedures and the legal system.

Action Plan to End Violence Against Indigenous
Women and Girls, the full AFN Framework Action Plan
can be accessed at: www.afn.ca

Nations Framework Action Plan is just one part of thePrevention

First Nations response to the National Inquiry’s 231
Calls for Justice and provides a specific national lensFirst Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

to the identified actions. In addition to this action plan,

people have the right to live free of violence and all

regional action plans will be added to the First Nations

forms of discrimination. Effective solutions must be

National Framework as complementary components

nation-based and nation-driven. Prevention initiatives

to help advocate for implementation of the 231 Calls

must recognize the diversity among First Nations.

for Justice.

Dedicated and sustainable funding for First Nations isneeded to take immediate action to prevent, reduceand eliminate violence against First Nations, women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

35

Calls for Justice: National
Perspective on 4 Key Themes

3. Health and Wellness

1. Justiceviolence that many First Nations women,

Health concerns are intrinsically linked togirls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people face

When First Nations women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people go missing, theirfamilies’ complaints are not taken seriously,
their cases are not investigated properly, theirfamilies are not updated on their loved one’s
investigations, their cases are prematurely
deemed accidents, and the perpetrators are
not apprehended or punished in the samemanner as when the victims are non-First
Nations. It is vitally important that the RCMP
and other police services be more accountable
for their treatment of families and survivors,and for how they investigate missing andmurdered First Nations women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

because when health is in jeopardy, so issafety. The long-term impacts of violenceon health must also be seen in the context
of settler-colonialism in Canada. The Indian
Residential School system and the effects
of intergenerational trauma combined withsystematic discrimination and under fundingof health services for First Nations have all
led to the poor social determinants for healthand wellness of First Nations people. The AFN
heard from survivors and families that healthand wellness were traditionally thought ofin a relational and holistic way. Those First
Nations who are fortunate to still have
Knowledge Keepers who possess knowledge
about traditional medicines and healing want

2. Human Security

to ensure that First Nations Citizens have

Families and Survivors have expressed thethe ability to incorporate those practices into

urgent need they see within their nations

their health and wellness care.

for more safe spaces, shelters, transition
housing, and safe modes of transportationin remote areas. They also felt that the onus
unfairly falls upon women and children toleave their homes to flee the violence they
are experiencing. This increases the risk ofFirst Nations women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people experiencing unemployment, poverty,
food insecurity and increases the likelihoodof negative interactions with police and thechild welfare system. Families and survivors
have expressed the urgent need for more
safe spaces, shelters, transition housing,and safe modes of transportation in remoteareas within their First Nations. They also
felt that the onus unfairly falls upon womenand children to leave their homes to flee theviolence they are experiencing.
36

4. CultureFirst Nations families and survivors havehighlighted how pivotal cultural identity isfor both prevention activities, to support
people during times of crisis, and for healingfrom trauma and providing aftercare support.
First Nations know best what is needed for
cultural revitalization and preservation within
our nations. There needs to be more effort
put forward to design and maintain ongoingtraining for all government workers with thecontent provided by First Nations Knowledge
Keepers and experts.

Implementation
National Inquiry’s Final Report found that many
jurisdictional issues impact the safety of First
Nations women, girls and 2SLQBTQQIA+ people.
Interjurisdictional cooperation is crucial to addressing
many immediate concerns pertaining to violence against
First Nations women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
The federal government has committed to achieving
meaningful change and action for First Nations. For this tohappen, all levels of government must work in partnershipwith First Nations and develop First Nations-led solutions
that are reflective of the unique history, context, and lived
reality of First Nations. Long term sustainable funding that
results in preventative action will require First Nations to
be engaged so that their unique needs are met.

Accountability
All governments, including First Nations, are responsible for the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice.
Calls for Justice number 1.1, 1.10-1.11 call for the development of independent mechanisms to report on theimplementation of the Calls for Justice. Mechanisms for evaluation of the implementation of the Calls for Justicemust be directly accountable to families, survivors and First Nations.
What is also needed are transparent accountability frameworks that break down specifically the actions items
that have undertaken and those still outstanding. Accountability mechanisms should provide information on
timeframes, partners, indicators, objectives, and provide clear demonstration of which federal departments andagencies are responsible for monitoring progress for each action item.

37

InuitThe Inuit Action Plan is a chapter within the National Action Plan
which embodies Inuit priorities, including a distinctions-based
approach to implementing the Calls for Justice. The National Action
Plan is inclusive of Inuit in decisions about federal, territorial, andprovincial intervention programs and services. The Inuit Action Plan
calls on all levels of government to set aside jurisdictional issues
that may impede actions required to eliminate the social, economic,
political, and cultural inequality and infrastructure gaps that exist.

The Inuit Action Plan instructs governments, Inuit

Inuit, Métis, and First Nations are distinct peoples.

Land Claim Organizations and other represented

Implementation of all recommendations in thebodies on the Inuit Working Group on how to move

National Action Plan must respect the uniqueforward with implementing the 46 Inuit-specificand specific Indigenous groups. Inuit reside in all

Calls for Justice to prevent violence against Inuit

provinces and territories in Canada and deserve

women and girls, as well as for creating the conditions

consideration based on our culture, geography,

necessary for health, safety, and prosperity in our

language, governance, and rights defined through landsociety. Recognizing that each level of government,

claim agreements, giving us a distinct relationship withincluding established Inuit governments, have

the Crown. Additionally, Inuit living outside of Inuit

responsibility for their respective areas of jurisdiction,

Nunangat also have specific needs and considerations.

implementation of the Inuit Action Plan must be led
principally by those levels of government and the Inuit
Land Claims Organizations. The survivors, familiesof missing and murdered Inuit, the leadership ofPauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and the voices ofInuit women are key to the successful implementationof the Inuit Action Plan to end gendered violence
for Inuit.
38

Inuit Working GroupThe Inuit Action Plan was developedby a national Inuit Working Group cochaired by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami andPauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. The
10 member Working Group consistedof representatives from Inuvialuit
Regional Corporation, Nunavut
Tunngavik Inc., Makivik Corporation,
and Nunatsiavut Government.
Members also included representatives
from the following four communitybased organizations: Family andSurvivors Circle, Tungasuvvingat Inuit,
AnanauKatiget Tumingit, and Saturviit
Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik.

Inuit Action Plan
The actions brought forward by the
Inuit Action Plan are organized under
the following 14 themes. Actions undereach theme are further organized into
federal-, provincial-territorial-, andInuit-led actions.

Respect and support for Inuit Self-Determination
Successful implementation of the Inuit Action Plan is contingent on governments respecting and supporting
the right of Inuit to self-determination. This can be achieved by including the voices of Inuit women, Inuit
representative organizations and governments as partners in the development and implementation ofsolutions prescribed by the Inuit Action Plan. Preventing violence against Inuit women and girls also requires
Inuit representative organizations and governments to exercise our right to self-determination in new ways,
including by leading initiatives that have historically been led by governments. Improving the overall qualityof life for Inuit women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people will be achieved through the sustained and genuine
collaborative action between all governments (federal, provincial, and territorial) and Inuit.

Read the full Inuit Action Plan:
www.itk.ca/mmiwg-inuit-action-plan

www.pauktuutit.ca/mmiwg-inuit-action-plan

39

Métis Nation
Li Shmayn – Métis Nation Action Plan Summary
The Métis Nation Working Group agreed that all

The Métis emerged as a distinct Indigenous people andrecommendations, policies, programs and services

nation in the historic Northwest during the lateestablished to end missing and murdered Métis

18th century. The Métis Nation defines “Métis” as, “A

women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks, must be

person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from otherculturally safe, intersectional, strengths-based andAboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry

trauma-informed. Additionally, LFMO’s Métis-specificand who is accepted by the Métis Nation.” The Métis

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) toolkit should

Nation is one of the three rights-bearing Aboriginal

be used to ensure that the unique realities facing

Peoples of Canada, within the meaning of Section 35

Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks areof the Constitution Act, 1982.

incorporated into Métis-specific programming.

Métis Traditional Worldviews and Values
The Métis Nation Working Group members recognized the importanceof respecting the laws of Wâhkôtowin and relationships to eliminate thetragedy of missing and murdered Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+
folks, and address the ongoing violence against them. In English,
Wâhkôtowin translates into “kinship” or “being related to each other” andit acknowledges the responsibility to families and survivors, to treat eachother in a good way, and to honour and respect these relationships and thespirits of the relatives.
https://en2.metiswomen.org/

With colonization, imported Euro-Canadian notions of inequality, racismand gender norms radically transformed our society, leaving Métis women
marginalized, vulnerable and subject to targeted violence and negative
societal attitudes. An important part of decolonization is re-empowering
the voices and the roles of women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks in decisionmaking for our Motherland.

40

In keeping with the foundational principles of Wâhkôtowin, the Métis Nation Working
Group maintained traditional Métis ways of working together, and continued to prioritize
collaboration, co-development and community connection. The Métis Nation working
group suggests that in the development of the National Implementation Plan, working
groups must reject divisive colonial and coercive tactics.

Foundational change

3. The Creation of an Oversight Body

The Métis Nation working group is proud to present

An oversight body must be established and mandated

the bold ideas brought forward by survivors andto receive complaints and compel government to takefamilies of MMIWG, Métis Elders and Knowledge

concrete actions on commitments made to end the

Keepers, Leaders, Grandmothers and Grandfathers,

tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women,

Service Providers and Grassroots family andgirls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks. The Métis Nation must

community members in responding to the Calls to

be directly involved in the co-design, co-development,

Miskotahâ (change).

and co-implementation of this important oversight
body, including the development of distinctions- andThroughout our work, five key themes emerged thatoutcomes-based indicators of progress, as defined by

are not only foundational but fundamental in taking

the Métis Nation, for the Métis Nation.

urgent action towards safety and security for all
Métis people.

4. Métis Healing and Wellness Centres

1. Justice/Law reform

A strategy must be defined for the creation of Métis
Healing and Wellness centres. A full suite of services

A comprehensive review of the entire criminaland support must be offered that are responsive to thejustice system is required to identify where Métis

unique needs of Métis communities. With only limited

citizens’ needs are being met and where they are not.

access currently across the Motherland, these centres

Immediate legislative reform is required to reduceshould include wrap-around supports for physical andthe disproportionate incarceration of Métis, and tomental health, addictions, trauma healing, fosteringremove systemic barriers that further harm Métis

wellness and cultural knowledge.

involved in the criminal justice system.

5. Accountability

2. System Navigators

The implementation phase foundational principles

Across every system - institutional or government, inand of the priority themes must include a robust

which Métis people interact, there is a fundamental

accountability framework. The Métis Nationneed for “System Navigators” to support culturally

Governments, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, andsafe access. The system navigators will provide

all levels of Canadian Government (Federal, Provincial,essential advocacy, knowledge translation, andTerritorial, Municipal) must work jointly in the creation

wholistic support. This will lead to enhanced

and validation of the accountability framework and beoutcomes in areas including but not limited to Childequally accountable to ensure lasting systemic change.

and Family Services, Health Care, Housing, Education,

The perspectives of family and survivors will play an

Justice, Policing, and Victim’s Services.

integral role in on-going accountability.
41

Threads Identified: Priorities
and Themes

THREAD #3 – Service Planning and

The Métis Nation Working Group discussed

Focuses on developing, designing andand identified threads that were categorized

delivering Métis-specific programs within

thematically. Each of the threads wasstrengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally

recognized as being foundational to “Li

safe and accessible frameworks. Métis

Shmayn” (trail) forward. Together, these

distinctions-based services are required inthemes are critical to a violence-free

addition to the urgent actions as defined

future, and are as inextricably linked asabove such as system navigators and Métis

the interwoven threads of a Métis sash.

Healing and Wellness centres.

DeliveryAccordingly, the following threads symbolize
the connection, strength, resilience, andsupport of Métis women, children and

THREAD #4 – Child and Family Services

2SLGBTQQIA+ folks in the face of ongoing

Ensures equal access to a suite of culturally

violence and threats to their existence.

safe services and supports to all Métis

These threads also emerged through ourchildren and youth in care, and those aging

consultation phase of developing our Métis

out of care. Interaction with Child and Family

Nation Implementation Framework.

services has been traumatic, debilitating anddamaging with a legacy of inter-generational
impacts. These services must continue prior

THREAD #1 – Gathering andto and throughout the process of Child and

Evaluating Data

Family services being devolved to Métis

Refers to the collection of Métis-specificNation Governments.

baseline data in order to protect, analyze,
contextualize and share information about
Métis people. Capacity is required to seekout Métis disaggregate data to ensure thatthe realities of Métis people are accurately
portrayed and not within a pan-Canadian or
pan-Indigenous context.

THREAD #5 – Healing and Wellness
Includes the safety, security, and healing of
all Métis persons, including equal accessto health services and benefits, throughculturally grounded care, free from racism
and responsive to individual preferences.

THREAD #2 – Relationship Building
Points to creating protocols, forming andfostering relationships, and supporting
grassroots, regional, and national
engagement processes. Relationshipbuilding is important as part of ongoing collaboration, co-development,
and will further the effectiveness of our
accountability framework.
42

Urgent action must begin to address the gaps
in access to health services, and ensure equaland equitable access for Métis people.

THREAD #6 – Justice and Policing

Ongoing vision and next steps

Highlights Métis-specific approaches to restorative

The Métis Nation Working Group upholds that thejustice, respectful treatment and support for Métis

priorities and themes outlined in the Métis Nation

victims of crime, and legislative and programmatic

way forward “Li Shmayn” be advanced through nation-

reforms to support Métis people interacting with theto-nation, government-to-government relationshipjustice system. Improvements in the areas of justice,agreements, and support the work of the Canada-public safety and victim’s services are required to

Métis Nation Permanent Bilateral Mechanism

reduce the over- representation of Métis people

process. This alignment will be crucial to next steps

interacting with the justice system. Access to Métis-of implementation, negotiation of resources, andfocused Gladue Reports reflective of Métis realities,

policy development to end the tragedy of missing andthat address current Gladue factors and relevant

murdered Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

release to community, as well as program capacity

folks, and to address violence against vulnerable Métis

shortages must be immediately actioned.

persons across the Motherland.
As we move forward, the Métis Nation will hold oursurvivors and families at the center of this importantwork. We encourage all readers to explore ourMétis Nation Action Plan, Weaving Miskotahâ, forfurther information.

“Words need to turn into action; we are still losing women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+
folks. The more we stay idle, the more our people are becoming colonized; with work andlove, we can get through the pain that happened within our provinces for Métis women.”-LFMO Engagement session participant.

43

2SLGBTQQIA+
Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQQIA+The Government of Canada committed to working together with Indigenous,
provincial, and territorial partners on the development of the National Action
Plan and to driving transformative change to end systemic racism and violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. As such,
the Core Working Group was supported by a number of Contributing Partners
that will support the Core Working Group throughout development of the
National Action Plan and its implementation by: Build on the collective wisdom and networks of

The mandate of the National Inquiry for Missing

the 2SLGBTQQIA+ sub-working group members

Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls andcombined with National Inquiry.

2SLGBTQQIA+ was initially designed to report on
all forms of violence perpetrated against Indigenous Identify key stakeholders and federal, provincial,

women and girls in Canada, however Indigenous

territorial, and Indigenous governments toconcepts of gender identity broadened the inquiry’s

work with.

mission to include Two-Spirit/Indigenous LGBTQQIA+

 Identify opportunities to address gaps regarding

people. This shift recognized that Indigenous cultures

MMIWG 2SLGBTQQIA+ and the National Inquiry.

accepted and included diverse concepts of gender andsexuality prior to European colonization.

 Liaise and engage with the Core Working Groupand support Contributing Partners’ activities

The terms, Two-Spirit and lesbian, gay, bisexual,

related to 2SLGBTQQIA+ matters.

transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and Identify and practice ancestral, cultural, andasexual are modern post-contact non-Indigenous

traditional Indigenous values and beliefs,

constructions that some 2SLGBTQQIA+ people may

teachings, language, rituals, and ceremonies thatchoose to identify themselves. The Sub-Working

empower 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Group recognizes there are over 150 known words
and terms in various Indigenous languages in North
America that were used prior to contact to describe
people who were gender diverse and 2SLGBTQQIA+.

44

Additionally, the 2S Sub-Working Group recognizes 2SLGBTQQIA+-specificwords and terms that are being reclaimed and introduced as Indigenous
languages continue to evolve. Indigenous peoples are constantly evolving.
As we continue to access and reclaim our Indigenous knowledges throughour lands and cultures, we must recognize that our languages are also in aconstant state of evolution. The + at the end of 2SLGBTQQIA+ is a way to be
inclusive, honor and celebrate how our languages are expanding and offering
choices for our sexual and gender diverse relatives to identify. Thus, we alsocelebrate the diversity of ways our people choose to identify themselves.

Nothing about us, without us, is for us!

Highlights/Current Progress Comprehensive report for 2SLGBTQQIA+

2 Spirited People of the First Nations

 3 Targeted engagements completed:

http://www.2spirits.com

Trans/Non-Binary, Inuit, and Sex Workers/
Sex Trade Overlapping recommendations: justicesystem reformation, housing security,
specific programs and services, educationand increased resources.
 2SLGBTQQIA+ 32 Specific Calls to Justice

2 Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.
https://twospiritmanitoba.ca
2 Spirits in Motion Society
https://2spiritsinmotion.com
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
https://e2s.ca/

 4 Areas: Right to Culture,

Four Feathers Society

 Right to Health & Wellness,

https://fourfeathers.net/

 Right to Security & Safety andGreater Vancouver Native Cultural Society

 Right to Justicehttps://www.facebook.com/gvncs78/
Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance
http://w2sa.ca/
Two-Spirit Michif Local
http://2smichiflocal.ca
A growing number of 2SLGBTQQIA+
are developing.

45

Priorities/Next Steps
The priorities evolve into next steps which are the following:
1. Implementation of the MMIWG2S National Action Plan.
2. Advocacy and implementation of federal legislation including the UNDRIP.
3. Expansion of 2SLGBTQQIA+ programs and services that include gender-specific language.
4. Support ongoing capacity building and infrastructure development to support theincreased need to have culturally relevant, safe and supportive 2SLGBTQQIA+ facilities
throughout the country.
5. Establish a 2SLGBTQQIA+ national committee with the final objective to establish a
2SLGBTQQIA+ Secretariat.

Closing Statement
The MMIWG 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan:

The deconstruction of western concepts of gender will

Final Report is a call to action that ensures Two-require national programs, community development

Spirit, and Indigequeer kin can return to our family/

strategies, intergenerational intervention and action

community/ceremonial circles, to be embraced forplanning and knowledge gathering to eradicate

the sacredness we carry in our spirits and to take ourviolence against Two-Spirit community members

rightful place in our respective Nations.

rooted in the recovery and reclamation of Two-Spirit

https://mmiwg2splusnationalactionplan.ca/wp-content/

traditions and practices within Indigenous land-based,uploads/2021/06/2SLGBTQQIA-Report-Final.pdf

ancestral knowledge systems and protocols.

The path to acceptance and the act of welcoming Two-

The MMIWG 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan

Spirit, gender and sexually diverse Indigenous peoples

Final Report contains key recommendations that set

back into communities and back into the sacred circle

the path towards that, and if applied, will “make theof our cultures will help close the sacred hoop that was

Indigenous family, community, and ceremonial circle whole

torn open by colonization.

again” (Richard Jenkins).

The narrative of being an after-thought or not being
recognized as a strength for our nations is no longer
accepted. We must continue to ask ourselves how we
can use the recommendations in the report to advanceour collective futures that honour our ancestral waysof knowing and being.
46

UrbanWho We Are

Our Vision

We are survivors, family members, front line service

Ending violence will require the fundamental

providers and experts with lived experience in thetransformation of systems and society. Our vision isurban reality and violence against *Indigenous

to restore the rightful place of ***Indigenous women,

women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people within a dramaticallychanged country. Our bold and strength-based vision
has a focus on claiming our space, addressing violence,and ensuring a bright future.

Terminology and Inclusion

Urban Reality

Identity is complex and Urban *Indigenous

A majority of *Indigenous people live in urban areas, andcommunities honour, respect and celebrate thisthese voices are largely ignored, erased, undermined orcomplexity. One may identify as **First Nations, Inuitsilenced. Respect for and full inclusion of the dynamic,or Métis but, some may feel that they do not fit into

resilient and strong urban *Indigenous communities

these categories and may more readily identify withand voices would lead to human rights advancement,

the term *Indigenous, which is inclusive of complex

culturally appropriate programs and services andidentities. However, we also recognize that somesignificantly improved socio-economic conditions.

are not comfortable being identified as *Indigenous.
Therefore, we use and understand the terms

For decades, we have used our experience and*Indigenous and **First Nations, Inuit and Métis tocreativity to shift from barely managing poverty toalways mean “regardless of residency,” “regardless ofleading long term success, and provide strength andrelationship to the Crown,” and inclusive of the fullvalue-based services rooted in relationships. We

complexity of our identities.

know what works for urban communities and what isneeded to address violence. However, we haven’t been
provided with adequate resources to ensure that wecan properly support and provide services to the mostvulnerable. Further, as most urban service deliveryorganizations are led and accessed by women, ignoring
urban is also about ignoring urban *Indigenous women.
47

Defining Urban
Our definition is: **First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living insmall, medium and large communities, including rural, isolated andremote communities, which are: off-reserve; outside of their homecommunity, community of origin or settlement; or outside of **Inuit
Nunangat (*Inuit Homelands).

Next Steps

Priorities

Putting it All Together – An

Rights and Responsibilities
We are calling for the restoration of our roles and responsibilities,
and the full enjoyment of all our human rights as Urban *Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We are also mindfulof our responsibilities to each other, the earth and our cultures.
Accountability is critically important, and must include monitoringof meaningful and measurable goals and impacts, as well as
consequences for all governments who fail to protect us and support
our goal of a better life.

Urban Approach to End Violence
We note that each region of
the country will have their own
priorities. Some urgent next
steps include:

Substantive equality andhuman rights for urban*Indigenous people
A National Urban *Indigenous

2SLGBTQQIA+ People
2SLGBTQQIA+ people have always existed and been a part of ourcommunities. Their erasure and destruction of their traditional roles
has resulted in increased violence and the loss of recognition andacknowledgement of their gifts. Restoring 2SLGBTQQIA+ people topower and place will be medicine for all.

Strategy; a comprehensive strategy
for children; anti-racism, -sexism,-homophobia and transphobia
violence prevention programs; anda national *Indigenous housing
program, regardless of residency.

Resources
A bold, transformative approach would include the shifting of power,
decision-making and additional consistent resources and support for
urban communities and *Indigenous-led organizations.

Grassroots solutions anddecolonized approaches withsurvivors and families atthe centre
Recognizing and supporting urban

Co-Development*Indigenous expertise; and urban

Given the size and scope of this genocide, urban *Indigenous women,*Indigenous communities havegirls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people must contribute as equal partners to

direct responsibility for research,

eradicate violence. This is not about creating new rights or politicalplanning, development and deliveryorganizations. Instead, it is about meeting the needs of people andof urban policies, programs

providing programs and services no matter where we may live.

and services.

48

Accountability and implementation tools

Culture-based community development

A mapping exercise of programs and services providing

Client-centered and culture-based services that are

a direct focus on anti-violence; establish self-

responsive to client needs; urban land-based activities

identification data collection standards which include

for healing, ceremonies, social and community events;

urban and 2SLGBTQQIA+ as categories; establish an

and breaking down binary gender stereotypes.

oversight/monitoring body with the full participation

Prevention-based approachesof urban *Indigenous people.

Expanded urban programs and services; support

Distinctions-based, as defined in the National
Inquiry Final Reportfor entities by and for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people;
independent child welfare oversight; and advancechild protection jurisdictional challenges.

Application of human rights with a focus on
urban *Indigenous/2SLGBTQQIA+ people; andIntra- and inter-governmental coordinationand collaboration

strengthening and improving cultural safety/
competency including public education campaigns.

Coordinated urban approaches to address

Co-development of policy, programs,
research and data collection, including urban*Indigenous partners

jurisdictional wrangling/urban governance; and design

Ensuring all levels of all governments are committed

FULL Urban Sub Working Group Report:

and promote different justice responses.

to co-development; eliminate competition withmainstream providers for funding, with separate

https://mmiwg2splusnationalactionplan.ca/

and distinct resources and approval processes to

wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NAP-Urban-

ensure equity.

Framework_EN.pdf

Closing Statement
This framework must be seen as the new starting point. It
is a concrete plan that will be subject to continuous review,
updates and improvements to ensure future standards neverfall below this point. Our task is urgent, and it must be treatedas the highest priority. Our lives literally depend on it.

49

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Nearly 80% of Indigenous peoples live off-reserve in Canada today,43 and experiencewidespread discrimination. Off reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis andSouthern Inuit peoples are amongst the most socially and economically disadvantaged
groups in Canadian society,44 an unfortunate reality deeply rooted in colonialism andits impacts. There are severe and lasting damages to Indigenous peoples who are notrecognized or registered. They experience poorer health, higher rates of poverty andviolence, and are overrepresented in the Canadian justice and correctional system.45
Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are the most at risk of violencein urban centers: of known cases 70% of women and girls disappeared in urban areas
and 60% were found murdered in an urban area.46

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) was

In 2020 the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples held afirst founded in 1971 as the Native Council ofsummit and regional meetings in each PTO, bringing

Canada. Originally established to represent the

together representation from across Canada tointerests of Métis and non-status Indians, in 1993,

review the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into

the organization was reorganized and renamed as

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. CAP arose as aand identify constituent priorities. CAP is committed

representative for the “forgotten people” in response

to all 231 Calls for Justice through action and policy

to the structural and systemic exclusion of Indigenouschange. The remainder of this CAP MMIWG National

peoples in federal policy. Our constituency spans

Action Plan Interim Report highlights the way forward

coast to coast with diverse Indigenous identities. CAP

toward improving outcomes for Indigenous women,

works collectively with its ten Provincial Territorial

girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. As eloquently stated

Organizations (PTOs) across Canada to promoteby one of CAP’s constituents, “our children are looking

and advance the common interests, collective andto us to bridge the divides, look past our differences,individual rights, and needs of its constituents. CAP’s

master our fears and find a common humanity”.

47

mandate is to improve the socio-economic conditionsof off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Southern
Inuit, and Métis living in urban, rural and remote areas.

50

Priorities
The six universal themes that underlie the
CAP MMIWG National Action Plan:
 Recognition of human rights, Indigenous Accountability: Rebuilding trust is

rights and inclusion: CAP agrees with thecritical in envisioning a country wherein

Final Report of the NIMMIWG that human

Indigenous women and girls can expect

and Indigenous rights are complementary

to live in safety and their human andand grounded in the lived realities of those

Indigenous rights to be respected. CAP

who experience injustice and must be

supports the Indigenous-informed

both protected and upheld through new

oversight and accountability measuresrelationships.

highlighted in the Final Report of the Mobility of rights: Freedom of movement
is an inherent Indigenous right. However,

NIMMIWG.
 School and public education: Canadianthe legacy of the colonial Indian Act

institutions play a huge role in the successsystem is still being experienced.

of the NIMMIWG through the creation

Indigenous peoples’ have the right toof opportunities for the Canadian publicaccess funding, services, and programming

to develop their knowledge through theregardless of Status or residency.

creation of a national MMIWG database, Access: For Indigenous peoples, identity,
mobility of rights and access are closely

centers of study, public education, training
and professional development.

associated. Of primary concern are
barriers to accessing programming in

The focal point of the CAP MMIWG National

urban, rural, and northern remote settings

Action Plan is the safety and wellbeing ofthat block the way to safety and security

Indigenous women’s, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

faced by some of the most vulnerable

people. It highlights the need to ensure

Indigenous populations.

that the human and Indigenous rights of
the urban and rural Indigenous populations

 Inter-governmental coordination:
Clarification and resolution of historicaland jurisdictional conflicts between
governments in service delivery andresponsibilities is essential for the health,wellness, and safety of Indigenous womenand girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

are respected, regardless of status orresidency. It embraces respectful, inclusive,and decolonized approaches challenging
discriminatory colonial policies and practices
of exclusion and inequity. It stresses that inorder to guarantee a future where Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people feelsafe it is important to ensure that the uniqueissues faced by urban and rural women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are part ofeach step.

51

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples asserts that a

Finally, the CAP MMIWG National Action Plan

positive cultural identity provides Indigenous women,

provides a path for collecting accurate, inclusive, far-girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people with a sense ofreaching and impactful data that respects the right of

belonging, support, purpose, and self-worth. The CAP

CAP constituents to be counted.

MMIWG National Action Plan embraces the concept

Closing Statementof substantive equality to respond to the specificneeds of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+This interim report is presented in memory of thepeople and the complex and unique diversity ofstatus and non-status Indians, Métis and Southern

Indigenous identities. It replaces exclusion, based on

Inuit women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people incolonial constructed identities and discrimination,

urban, rural, and remote who have gone missing andwith inclusive and all-encompassing actions thatmurdered. The full report of the 2020 CAP Summit

benefit all women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

can be found at:

who identify as Indigenous.

http://www.abo-peoples.org/en/mmiwg/

The CAP MMIWG National Action Plan identifies
remedies to the systemic issues that continue toviolate the freedom of Indigenous women’s, girls, andMembership of National Action Plan Sub working

2SLGBTQQIA+ people to live where they choose anddeny their right to access the services designed toGroup of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

keep them safe. It recognizes the role of partnership

Chair: President & Chief Lisa Cooper, Native Council

and intergovernmental coordination at all levels ofof Prince Edward Island

government including Indigenous organizations andPresident Charlene Lavallee, Association of Métis,communities as a key pathway to address the historicalNon & Status Indians Saskatchewan

issues that have had a long-standing impact on thesafety and wellbeing of Indigenous women’s, girls, andChief and President Lorraine Augustine, Native

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Correspondingly, it clarifies

Council of Nova Scotia

those issues, jurisdictional and otherwise, that haveElizabeth Blaney, MMIWG Special Advisor, Congress

resulted in barriers to adequate services and supportsof Aboriginal Peoples

for Indigenous women and girls along status andRichard Cooper, CAP National Youth Representative

residence lines. It seeks to rebuild trust and advocatesfor extensive oversight and accountability measures

Jessica Dawson, Executive Manager andduring the implementation phase. The success ofCommunications, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

the National Inquiry Calls for Justice requires theunderstanding and action of all Canadians, service
providers, governments, and educational institutions.

52Federal Government

Introductory Statement
The Federal Sub-Working Group was established in
September 2020 to advise on the development of the federal
component of the National Action Plan, which is the Federal
Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,
Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.

Highlights/Current Progress
Development of the Federal Pathway The Federal Pathway is the Government

 The Federal Pathway takes a comprehensive andof Canada’s proposed path forward to end

holistic approach to address the root causes ofviolence against Indigenous women, girls andviolence, and outlines the concrete commitments

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It is also the federal

and actions that will be taken in four key areas:

government’s specific contribution to the
National Action Plan.

CultureHealth &Human Safety

Wellness& Security

53

Justice The Federal Pathway is anchored in implementation
principles that will guide the Government of Canada’s
Self-determined,
Indigenous-led,grassroots solutions
and services

commitments into concrete and preventative action.

Cultural safety
and humility

They include: Cultural safety and humility A strengths-based family and community centred

A holistic
approach

A trauma-informed
approach

FederalPathway

Leadership ofIndigenous families,
survivors, womenand 2SLGBTQQIA+
peopleapproach A focus on dignity and supporting power and place Respect for the human rights of Indigenous Peoples

A focus on dignity
and supporting
power and place Leadership of Indigenous families, survivors, womenand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

Respect for thehuman rights ofIndigenous
Peoples A holistic approach Self-determined, Indigenous-led, grassroots
solutions and services

 Notably, Budget 2021 made historicinvestments that will support theimplementation of the Federal Pathway
and directly contribute to ending
violence against Indigenous women,
girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The
Government of Canada has proposed
to invest $2.2 billion over five years and$160.9 million ongoing to respond to thisnational tragedy, as well as more than
$18 billion over the next five years to

Overview of Engagement Progress The Federal Pathway was developed
through an iterative engagement processwith a wide range of partners, including
families and survivors, Indigenous women,
2SLGBTQQIA+ people, grassroots
organizers, Indigenous governments andorganizations, the former National Inquiry
Commissioners, provinces and territories,
and over 20 federal departments.

improve the quality of life of and create The Federal Sub-Working Group engaged

new opportunities for people living inwith the Indigenous-led National Action

Indigenous communities.

Plan structure that was established tolead the development of the National

 Indigenous women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families, survivors,
children and communities are at theheart of these commitments, as well as in
the implementation of these initiatives
moving forward.

54

Action Plan. This structure includes aCore Working Group, National Family andSurvivors Circle, Contributing Partners,
and provincial/territorial representatives.

Closing Statement

 Federal departments also have their own
engagement structures, in the form of advisory
councils or engagement tables. Through these

The federal government remains committed

mechanisms, they have engaged and collaborated

to continue working with partners to end

with Indigenous partners on the initiatives

violence against Indigenous women, girls andincluded in the Federal Pathway.

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and views the development
and implementation of the Federal Pathway as an This engagement helped ensure that the Federal

important step in that direction.

Pathway is inclusive, holistic and reflects thedistinct and diverse perspectives, circumstancesEnding this national tragedy requires a whole-of-

and needs of Indigenous Peoples across thegovernment, and whole-of-Canada approach. It willcountry, no matter where they live.

require a concerted national effort from all people
living in Canada and from all levels of governments

Priorities and Next Steps

from coast to coast to coast.

 The Federal Pathway is a living document that willcontinue to be adapted over time in partnership

Membershipwith Indigenous Peoples based on emerging needs

The Federal Sub-Working Group is comprised ofand priorities.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives, aswell as representatives at the Assistant Deputy

 Work will continue with Indigenous and provincialterritorial partners to develop a comprehensive

Minister level from the following federal departments:

Implementation Plan for the initiatives laid out inCrown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

the Federal Pathway.

Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada,
Employment and Social Development Canada, Public Next steps include:

Safety Canada, Justice Canada, Canadian Heritage,

 Developing a draft Implementation Plan by

Indigenous Services Canada, Statistics Canada, andJuly 2021;

the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

 Validating the draft Implementation Plan with
the National Action Plan structure and otherpartners in July – August 2021; and,
 Finalizing and launching the Implementation
Plan in Fall 2021.

55

Provinces and Territories

Provincial and Territorial Ministers
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Joint Statement
We, the Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for responding to
the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls, believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence.

Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

We aspire to a future where Indigenous women,

continue to be harmed by violence arising from racism,girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience equality,

sexism, homophobia, transphobia and socio-economic

security and respect in a violence-free Canada.

inequity; the frequency of which has increased withthe onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

We support the June 2020 joint statement on antiracism and the January 2021 Joint Declaration for

We want to honour the families of missing anda Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence.48 We will

murdered loved ones in our commitment to work

ensure our respective responses to the National

together, and to collaborate with survivors, families

Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand people with lived experience in addressing theand Girls complement our collective efforts to address

multiple, complex and deeply rooted factors thatracism and gender-based violence.

contribute to violence against Indigenous peoples.
We honour their resilience and strength. They called

Provinces and territories work at the regional andfor, and will continue to contribute to, building acommunity level with a broad array of Indigenous

responsive and Indigenous-led approach to ending

peoples, communities, governments and organizations.

endemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and

The perspectives of these critical partners on what

2SLGBTQQIA+ people in our country.

actions will be effective in addressing violence against
Indigenous Peoples may differ from the Canada-wide
view as actions reflect each jurisdiction’s priorities
and perspectives.
56

Diversity is one of our country’s strengths. We will

The National Action Plan is one step on a journeycontinue to work collaboratively within and between

through which provinces and territories may

our jurisdictions, with Indigenous governments andestablish shared goals and priorities with the federal

partners, and with Indigenous women, girls andgovernment, and clarify areas of shared jurisdictional

2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have lived experience ofpriority. Respecting the pace and priorities ofviolence. This will ensure the diversity of perspectives

Indigenous peoples and communities, each province

inform the foundation for the required changes toand territory is pursuing further dialogue andpolicies, initiatives and practices that best address theengagement with Indigenous partners on actions theyunique needs within our respective jurisdictions.

have already taken as well as those that will come inresponse to the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice.

The coronavirus pandemic created challenges foradvancing our collective efforts. Protecting and caring

Provincial and territorial governments, the federal

for Elders, traditional knowledge-keepers and loved

government, Indigenous governments and partners,

ones became the primary focus of many Indigenous

and all Canadians share a responsibility to lead thecommunities, peoples and all levels of government. As

societal changes required to address these urgent

a result, our efforts proceeded differently. Web-based

and long-standing issues. We commit to building

collaborations, online meetings and calls advanced

a solid foundation with our respective Indigenous

some initiatives; however, public health measurespartners to address the violence, racism andlimited meaningful community engagement anddiscrimination faced by Indigenous women, girls andconversations with communities that provinces and

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

territories think are essential to lasting change.
Finally, as Provincial and Territorial Ministers, wecommit to collaborating and encourage all Canadians
to be part of the future where Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people live free of violenceand discrimination.

Introduction
Jurisdictional Content
Building on this joint commitment, the information that follows provides the landscape of work underway
in provinces and territories in responding to the Calls for Justice and addressing the root causes of violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It recognizes the significant work, engagement
and collaboration underway within each jurisdiction - between government and Indigenous partners - andacknowledges that the journey is an ongoing one, with much more to be done. It also outlines where futurecollaborative action may be needed and welcomed. Finally, the chapter highlights the breadth of responses
and acknowledges and celebrates the unique realities and perspectives of Indigenous communities andpersons from coast to coast to coast. Provinces and territories look forward to reviewing the priorities andstrategies outlined in the National Action Plan, as developed by the working groups, and to building on thework underway in each jurisdiction.
57

Newfoundland and Labrador
Minister Welcome

Highlights/Current Progress

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is the

GNL initiatives highlighted below are intended

ancestral homelands of many diverse populations ofto provide examples of current and ongoing work

Indigenous peoples who have contributed to 9,000

that align with the four themes represented by the

years of history including the Beothuk on the Island

Calls for Justice in the final report of the Nationalof Newfoundland. Today the province is home toInquiry: Culture, Health and Wellness, Safety anddiverse populations of Indigenous and other people.

Human Security, and Justice. These examples are in

We acknowledge, with respect, their diverse histories

no way representative of the totality of work being

and culture.

undertaken by GNL to improve the status and wellbeing of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

individuals in the province. Moving forward, GNL will

(GNL) is committed to the prevention of violence

continue to work in collaboration and partnership withagainst Indigenous women, girls, and persons

Indigenous governments and organizations (IGOs) to

who identify as Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

identify potential long-term, grassroots and holistic

Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, andinitiatives designed to address the Calls for Justice

Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+). June 3, 2021 marks thewhile meeting the varying needs and priorities ofsecond anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power

Indigenous people in our province. Addressing theand Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into

systemic causes of violence and racism that prevent

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. GNL

Indigenous women, and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

has undertaken a review of the 231 Calls for Justiceindividuals from reaching their full potential in our

and we continue to assess areas where policies andprovince are, and will continue to be, a GNL priority.

programming can be enhanced to address violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls and persons who
identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+. Through this work wehonour the courage and resilience of families andsurvivors who provided evidence and the experts
and knowledge keepers that resulted in the 231 Calls
for Justice.

58

Culture

Health and Wellness

 GNL collaborated with IGOs through The Towards Recovery Indigenous Healththe Indigenous Education Advisory

Team is one of eight teams overseeing

Committee and developed a framework on

implementation of Towards Recovery: A

Indigenous Education for Newfoundland

Vision for a Renewed Mental Health andand Labrador. This articulates a plan toAddictions System for Newfoundland andsupport implementation of authentic

Labrador. The Team has representation

educational experiences for Indigenous

from all IGOs with authority over delivery

students to see themselves reflectedof mental health and addictions services.

accurately and respectfully in curriculum

The Team is co-chaired by Health andand provides direction for revisions ofCommunity Services and a rotating co-existing curriculum and development ofchair from each IGO.

new curriculum that reflects the history,
contributions, traditions, and culture of
Indigenous Peoples.

 GNL established a cultural safety-training
program through the Health Services
Integration Fund (HSIF). The program was GNL has enhanced service delivery

developed in partnership with the NL HSIF

to indigenous children and youth.

Advisory Committee and all IGOs that

Substantive changes have been madehave involvement in health services toto the Children, Youth and Families Act

improve cultural safety in healthcare.

(CYFA), to support service delivery to
Indigenous Children, Youth and theirfamilies. Within the CYFA, the bestinterest of a child or youth considers theimportance of preserving, Indigenous childor youth’s unique cultural identity, andthe importance of family as the preferredenvironment for the care of the child.
 GNL offers an Indigenous Cultural Heritage GNL is currently developing acomprehensive provincial suicide
prevention plan titled: Life promotion
Suicide Prevention Plan. This plan has
been informed in consultation with
Indigenous communities and Indigenous
health leaders. These consultations on
the suicide prevention plan will help
ensure the unique perspectives ofProgram which supports Indigenous

Innu, Inuit, and Mi’kmaq communities

projects that involve the safeguarding

are incorporated into prevention andof traditions and culture, including

promotion, intervention and treatment,

language; traditional knowledge andand postvention and follow-up supports.

skills; storytelling, music, games and otherpastimes; knowledge of the landscape;customs, cultural practices and beliefs;
food customs; and living off the land.

59

Safety and Security

Justice GNL through the Working Together for Violence GNL offers cultural competency and trauma-

Free Communities Action Plan, also commits to

informed training to justice-sector employees toworking with Indigenous communities to develop

educate and inform staff of Indigenous cultures

their own culturally-appropriate solutions andand traditions to improve the interactions andinterventions to prevent violence against womenexperiences of Indigenous people within theand children. This includes engaging Indigenous

justice system.

governments and communities in building the GNL offers culturally appropriate services

leadership capacity of Indigenous women, andat the Labrador Correctional Centre and the

supporting Indigenous men and boys in their

Newfoundland and Labrador Correctional

efforts to reject and prevent all forms of violence.

Centre for Women through partnerships with the

One specific example of this is the Indigenous

Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and First Light, St.

Violence Prevention grants that take a holistic

John’s Friendship Centre.

approach to violence prevention led by Indigenous
communities. The foundation of this plan still
guides GNL’s work as we continue towards next
steps that are targeted and solution focused.

Priorities

Concluding Remarks

GNL recognizes that the first step in advancing our

GNL will continue to advance the necessary work in

commitment to address the Calls for Justice is to

response to the final report of the National Inquiry,

engage with Indigenous leaders and communities.

including continuing work with our partners on theThis engagement will be meaningful, respectful, andNational Action Plan and its implementation.

culturally-appropriate and will include Indigenous
leaders, elders and knowledge holders.

60Prince Edward Island

Introduction
A Message from the Premier of Prince
Edward Island
As Premier of the Province of Prince Edward Island,

The Province remains firmly committed to working

I am pleased to provide our jurisdiction’s progress

together to advance reconciliation and achieve

towards implementing the Missing and Murdered

positive and lasting outcomes for the Mi’kmaq and all

Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. This

Indigenous people on the Island.

work signifies PEI’s commitment to ending violenceagainst Indigenous women and girls and provides an

Current Progress in Prince
Edward Island

update of existing and ongoing initiatives to addressthese issues.

The implementation of the Calls for Justice will
In March 2020, recognizing that a review andrequire extensive coordination across jurisdictions

implementation of the Calls for Justice will requireand departments at all levels of government. The

an effort across all departments, Executive Council

Government of PEI has taken a staged approach toapproved a process to establish an Interdepartmental

the work of implementing recommendations in the

Working Group and an Indigenous Working Group

Final Report.

to determine and coordinate priorities, next steps,
and future actions within the provincial jurisdiction.

Since the release of the Final Report on Missing

I am proud of the close collaboration over the pastand Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, theyear between the Province, the Lennox Island First

Government of PEI has committed to reporting on

Nation, Abegweit First Nation, the PEI Aboriginal

the status of the implementation of the Calls for

Women’s Association, Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Justice through a report tabled in the Legislative

and the Native Council of PEI through the MMIWG

Assembly each spring. In order to chart a path

Indigenous Working Group. To date, PEI has tabled inforward, it is important to have a clear idea of

the Provincial Legislature two updates that provide an

where we are and where we have been. As a first

overview of initiatives the Province of Prince Edward

stage of approach, information was gathered acrossIsland has undertaken in recent years to improve thegovernment departments to report on any workoverall health, safety and wellbeing of the Mi’kmaq

related to MMIWG and the Calls for Justice completed

and other Indigenous people on Prince Edward Island.

or ongoing.
61

This preliminary report was tabled in the Legislative

The Interdepartmental Working Group includes

Assembly in June 2020 and can be found here.

representatives from each provincial government
department and works in conjunction with the

Looking forward, the Province of PEI has endeavoredIndigenous Working Group. These representatives

to center the perspectives and voices of Indigenous

advance the work of addressing the Calls for Justicepeople in a process of engagement and collaboration

by identifying opportunities within their respectivethat advances the work of addressing violence against

departments that meet the recommendations set out

Indigenous women and girls and responding to thein the Final Report and assist in the coordination ofCalls for Justice Recommendations.

information flow for reporting purposes.

In Spring 2020, the Government of PEI established a

Priorities and Next Steps

Coordinating Committee with representatives from

Prince Edward Island’s second status report on

the Indigenous Relations Secretariat, Interministerial

MMIWG was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on

Women’s Secretariat, and Justice and Public Safety

May 5, 2021. The full report can be accessed here. This

Victim Services. The Committee was tasked with

report not only details the work related to MMIWG

developing a process to respond to the Calls for Justice

being done by Departments, but in collaboration withand advance the work of eliminating violence against

the Indigenous Working Group, the Government

Indigenous women and girls. Through this process, twoof PEI has also identified immediate action items

working groups were created; an Indigenous Working

informed by the priorities outlined by the Indigenous

Group and an Interdepartmental Working Group.

Working Group. These include:

The Indigenous Working Group consists of

 the development of an Indigenous Healthrepresentatives appointed by Lennox Island First

Navigator

Nation, Abegweit First Nation, PEI Aboriginal
Women’s Association, Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI,

 a dedicated funding stream for Indigenous housing

and the Native Council of PEI. Through a number

 a fund to support the organizations representedof meetings over the last year, the Coordinatingon the Indigenous Working Group in their ongoing

Committee has worked closely with the Indigenous

participation in this process

Working Group to gather ideas to inform concrete

 compulsory cultural training for the public service

actions to address the most immediate priorities of

to enhance education and understanding of

the Indigenous community in PEI and advance theIndigenous history in Canada and the impacts ofimplementation of the Calls for Justice.

colonialism and intergenerational trauma

62

Through this process, it is of utmost importance that
we ensure that we are listening to the Indigenous
community. These immediate actions are meant toaddress some of the crucial themes that emerged overthe course of the Indigenous Working Group meetings;
better access to health care for Indigenous people,

Closing

more education and awareness of Indigenous issues

The Government of PEI is proud of the progressin the general public, an increased need for housing,

we have made to respond to the Calls for Justiceand support for communities and organizations tosince the Final Report was released. We know,

continue MMIWG work. The above commitments

however, that there is a lot more to be done toare also meant to complement the work alreadyensure better outcomes for Indigenous people

underway in government. The Government of PEI

in PEI and across the country. Tackling systemic

recognizes that these commitments do not represent

issues of racism, colonialism, and the resulting

an exhaustive effort to address the Calls for Justice,intergenerational trauma does not make for lightnor do they represent the entirety of the priorities

work; it will require a strategic and concerted

outlined by the Indigenous Working Group; theyeffort that pays attention to a complex spectrum

represent a point on a continuum as we move forward

of social, economic, historical, cultural, andin the implementation of the Calls for Justice.

political factors. Through the process we havedeveloped, we hope to create a foundation fromwhich we can build upon to tackle the forces of
oppression through a collaborative effort thatplaces Indigenous voices and perspectives at thecenter of this work.
I would like to extend special thanks to the PEI
Mi’kmaq First Nations and Island Indigenousorganizations for their guidance and engagementin this process. Their ongoing advice and feedback
will act as a compass as we navigate the pathforward to ending violence against Indigenous
women and girls together.

63

Nova Scotia“The Province of Nova Scotia continues
to trailblaze our country for the 231 Calls
for Justice. There is so much work to do!
In my heart, I know that with continued
support, a true path of advocacy, andcollaboration, we will continue to leadand show the rest of our Nation whattrue reconciliation looks like.”
Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley, Lead Chief, Mi’kmaw“Responding to the Calls for Justice issomething that we need to do together.
The phrase ‘nothing about us, without us’reminds us to centre the experiences andwisdom of Indigenous women, girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ people. I value the strong
leadership and dedication of Mi’kmaw
women as we build our forward path inNova Scotia”.

Women, Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs

Hon. Kelly Regan, Minister Responsible for theAdvisory Council on the Status of Women

Introductory Statement
We honour all survivors, family members, those lost to violence, and everyone affected by ongoing experiences ofviolence. Before, during, and after the National Inquiry, the Mi’kmaq and the Province of Nova Scotia embraced acollaborative approach that kept families and survivors at the centre of our work. We have a strong relationship,built on respect, understanding, and shared work over many years. This foundation includes formal and informal
structures and relationships that have helped us to have meaningful conversations about what needs to change
to improve health, social, and economic opportunities, and outcomes. We are committed to eliminating violenceagainst Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and strengthening community safety and wellbeing.
Over many years, we have strengthened capacity and relationships to advance our collective work, supported
families, participated in roundtables, held marches and vigils to remember those who are missing or who havebeen murdered. The Mi’kmaw Women Leaders Network is an example of a strong, organic partnership between
Indigenous women’s organizations, women leaders, and provincial government, created to ensure that families
are safe and supported, before, during, and after the Inquiry. This Network hosted ceremonies to welcome
families and Commissioners to the first hearing held in a First Nation community – in Membertou in October
2017 – and continues to support families. Our collaborative FILU Community Outreach Specialist model meetsfamilies where they are, in ways that are culturally appropriate, trauma informed, and built on trust.

64Current Progress
The principles that guided our approach

WAGE to develop a Nova Scotia Indigenous

throughout the Inquiry – honouring

Human Trafficking Strategy over the next

relationships, keeping families at the centre,

three years. In 2019, the Mi’kmaw Nativeand collaboration and partnership – continue

Friendship Centre opened the first Indigenous

to guide our work and actions taken to date tosecond-stage housing project in Nova

respond to the Calls for Justice in Nova Scotia.

Scotia, which offers transitional housing andFollowing the release of the Final Report,

culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous

respective women leaders from the Province,

women and children leaving domestic

Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs, andviolence. In 2020, the Province supported

the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association

re-opening the Jane Paul Indigenous(NSNWA) met to determine the best path

Women’s Resource Centre, which provides

forward. We agreed to a collaborative

supports to Indigenous women off-reserve

approach that centres Indigenous women’sin Sydney, many of whom live with complex

leadership – a commitment that acknowledges

and intersecting realities of homelessness,

their rightful power and place. NSNWA has

poverty, violence, addiction, and multiple

been identified as the lead and is working

system interactions.

closely with Mi’kmaw families, communities,
and organizations, as well as the NS Status

These commitments are steps in the rightof Women office and the Office of L’nu

direction – and we know there is more to

Affairs. This approach builds on grassroots

be done. Visionary initiatives such as theexperiences and engages partners to

NSNWA’s Resilience Centre – a space fordeepen connections and identify meaningful

Indigenous women-led, trauma-informed,

actions to ensure the safety and wellbeing

culturally appropriate services and supports –of Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+

will support long-term healing, wellness, andpeople, families, and communities.

self-determination. The Mi’kmaq, Canada,
and Nova Scotia are engaged in significant

While we develop our forward path together,transformation efforts – including Maw-

we continue to work to address issues

kleyu-kik Knijannaq (Mi’kmaq Child Welfare

identified in the Final Report – and by theInitiative), and the development of Tajikeimɨk

Mi’kmaq – in a collaborative way. In 2019,(Mi’kmaw Health & Wellness Authority) –the Province secured stable operationalthat aim to address systemic factors thatfunding for the NSNWA. This commitment

contribute to health and social inequalities.

ensures sustainability for the organization
to continue to develop responsive, traumainformed, Indigenous-women led programs
and supports, and leverage project-based
funding from a stable foundation. For
example, NSNWA secured funding from65

We have seen the positive impact of such Workshops with leadership, community

agreements on educational outcomes inorganizations, and partners. Coordination

our province (Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey,

with the Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada

the Mi’kmaw Education Authority), andTripartite Forum to align actions andcontinue to seek opportunities for structural,complement TRC priorities.

legislative, and policy frameworks that will
write a new chapter in our relationship.
We are working to connect and integrate
our responses and actions into importantand strategic provincial initiatives – suchas Standing Together, our action plan toprevent domestic violence, our Poverty
Reduction Strategy, our Culture Action Plan,
Treaty Education, and the developmentof an Indigenous Justice Action Plan –leveraging opportunities for holistic andmeaningful change.

 Raise awareness of the context
and impacts of MMIWG in Nova
Scotia, through development of acommunications strategy and materials.

Closing Statement
We are on a path to write a new story
together – one that centres Indigenous
women’s leadership, strengthens
relationships, and focuses on healing,
wellness, and resilience. The examples sharedin this document are part of our story so
far – of working together to find new ways

Priorities and Next Steps

to address root causes and challenges, andCollaborative engagement to guide our
implementation plan is ongoing, and is focusedbuild on strength, courage, and hope. We
commit to continuing to work collaboratively

on key areas:and holistically on interrelated priorities

 Engagement with family members,

based violence, economic security, justice– health, wellness, culture, safety, gender-

survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
to gather perspectives on needs,
opportunities, and priorities specific to
Nova Scotia. Annual family and survivor
gatherings continue to ground whatmatters most.

– to build a better future. In creating theright forward path for Nova Scotia, we knowthat collaboration with partners, including
Indigenous, provincial, territorial, and federal
governments, will be required. We willcontinue to seek opportunities for partnershipand collective action to build a country that is Research embracing a nationhood
approach, traditional research methods,
and a comprehensive environmental
scan to identify alignments, gaps, andpreliminary recommendations.

66

safe for everyone.

New Brunswick
Introductory Statement

Current ProgressStatement from the Hon. Tammy ScottWallace, Minister responsible for
Women’s Equality

The government of New Brunswick is developing its
response to help improve outcomes for Indigenous
women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. That
response will build on positive actions underway, as
part of the government’s commitment to address

New Brunswick will forever honour the memory of allviolence against Indigenous women and girls and themissing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, andCalls for Justice in the area of safety, justice, culture,

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. They will not be forgotten.

wellness and economic opportunity. The following

Their truths will live on through the deliberate andexamples highlight some of the work underway:

thoughtful steps we take together to end violence.

 The New Brunswick Silent Witness project video

We also celebrate the strength, power and resilience

documentary “Silent Witness Journey: Twoof Indigenous persons, Indigenous culture and values.

women’s stories” creates greater awareness of

The New Brunswick Advisory Committee on Violence

missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.

Against Aboriginal Women is composed of individual

The Silent Witness Journey: Two Women’s Stories

Aboriginal women representing communities and- YouTubeorganizations who exemplify this strength and The Indigenous Domestic Violence Outreach Pilot

resilience. Their wise council has and will continue
to inform New Brunswick’s response. They keep our

Program, an Indigenous led and culturally sensitive

collective work grounded in the truths and realities ofservice, is making a difference in supporting

Indigenous women.

women living in or leaving abusive relationships
in three First Nations communities and offcommunity in the Miramichi region.

New Brunswick is committed to improving the safety,
security and well-being of Indigenous women, girls and The New Brunswick Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Through collaborative work

Disorder Centre of Excellence has developed andand engagement, we are creating the foundation forlaunched a unique model called “Dreamcatcher”,

working in partnership with First Nations communities

which ensures a culturally appropriate delivery ofand Indigenous peoples to prevent future violence,services to First Nations clients and families.

and envision a future where survivors, families,
and communities affected by violence, have theopportunity to heal and move forward.

67

Engagement also led to the identification of key

 The Awakening Cultural Identity and Spirit
program connects Indigenous justice-involved

principles through which all partners can and mustclients (offenders) with Traditional Elders towork together to affect change and improve theprovide healing, spiritual and cultural teachings.

safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people. They are:

 The NB Public Library Services has establisheda Strategic Plan for Indigenous Library Services
focused on: building vibrant collections that are Indigenous Woman Centeredshaped by Indigenous voices; sharing stories

 Valuing culture

and building knowledge of local Indigenous Working in partnershiphistories, cultures and languages; creating
welcoming and trusted places for Indigenous Building trusting relationships

peoples; reaching out and supporting Indigenous Family participation and peer support

community development.

 Respect, dignity and compassion

 Future Wabanaki, is an experiential education

 Interdisciplinary systemic approachinitiative aimed at ensuring equal access for Co-creation

Indigenous university students wanting to benefit
from meaningful work experiences while studying.

To build on these initiatives and identify new areas ofmuch needed focus, New Brunswick held engagement
sessions with the NB Advisory Committee on Violenceagainst Aboriginal Women and several First Nation
communities, Indigenous partners, organizations
and communities. They identified as critical needs:
a focus on youth, the provision of culturally safe andappropriate supports, addressing gender inequality,
mental health and addictions, and increasing
meaningful opportunities. They also identified theuniqueness of each community and the diverse
realities of Indigenous persons depending on whether
they live in community or off, rural or urban.

68Priorities and Next Steps
New Brunswick’s Path Forward
The government of New Brunswick will formulate its own response to the
National Inquiry by the fall of 2021. The development of New Brunswick’s
path forward will respect the principles for change identified in partnershipwith the Advisory Committee, build on the perspectives learned throughengagement and improve on current initiatives to create measurable change.
New Brunswick’s response will be based on reflection and learning with aview towards advancing reconciliation, righting historical wrongs and ending
violence. It is rooted in the sharing of personal truths, with Elders, communities
and family members. We will take an interdisciplinary systemic approach toleading change.

Closing Statement
An effective National Action Plan will be one where all governments, federal,provincial, territorial and Indigenous, work together to make change happen.
Priorities for a National Action Plan must be informed by the voices ofIndigenous women, nationally, but also at the local level. It is why in New
Brunswick we have been engaging with Indigenous communities, the NB
Advisory Committee on Violence against Aboriginal Women as well as
government departments, service providers and community partners to inform
areas of priority for our province. New Brunswick’s approach to improving
outcomes, relationships and equality for Indigenous people, will be first andforemost informed by Indigenous people. Continued dialogue, partnership andengagement will be critical.

69

Quebec
Québec*The recent media focus on various types of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls has
made a significant contribution to raising awareness in Québec. More specifically, it has highlighted
major sex-based discrimination issues, and the specific vulnerability of Indigenous women.

In recent years, Québec has taken action to shed

A few months later, on September 30, the Viens

light on and address these issues. On August 9,

Commission filed its own report, containing 142

2016, following the creation of the National Inquiry

recommendations. The government immediately

into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andcommitted to implement the recommendations. A

Girls (NIMMIWG) at the federal level, the Québec

process that meets the priorities of the Indigenous

government mandated the commission to investigate

communities and takes into account the specificand report on systemic causes of violence against

context in Québec has been set up to prioritize

Indigenous women and girls in Québec and makeand implement the recommendations of the tworecommendations for concrete and sustainableinquiry commissions.

actions that can be put in place to prevent situationsof violence. This mandate allowed the NIMMIWG

The Québec government is resolved, first, to combat

commissioners to conduct their work in areas undervarious factors of vulnerability affecting Indigenous

Québec’s jurisdiction.

women and girls and, second, to promote full
empowerment to allow them to contribute fully

In addition, on December 21, 2016, the Québec

to the development of the communities and othergovernment established the Commission d’enquête

environments of which they form an essential part.

sur les relations entre les Autochtones et certains

Québec can, in particular, cite the following

services publics au Québec (the Viens Commission)achievements:

following allegations of sexual offences and violence
committed by police officers in Val-d’Or against

 The release, in June 2017, of the Government

Indigenous women in circumstances of vulnerability.

Action Plan for the Social and Cultural Developmentof the First Nations and Inuit 2017-202249 which

On June 3, 2019, the NIMMIWG released its finalcontains 26 measures to benefit Indigenous

report, applicable to all governments, and a specificwomen and girls.

report containing 21 recommendations for Québec.
*Québec supports the shared objective of combating violence against Indigenous women and girls and, as indicated in this section, is
implementing its own actions in its areas of jurisdiction. Québec also supports the idea of a pan-Canadian action plan, provided it is drawn up
with input from all partners.
70

One of its key aims is to improve living

assistance for the victims of crime, theconditions for Indigenous women.

prevention of violence against Indigenous

Specific measures address the following

women and families, and an awareness-issues: sexual assault and spousal andraising campaign to fight racism andfamily violence, complementarity

discrimination against Indigenous people.

between women and men as regards

Other measures will be announced before

economic empowerment and social andthe end of 2021.

political leadership.

 The tabling in the National Assembly, on The creation of an Indigenous women’s

December 9, 2020, of Bill 79, An Act toworking committee, bringing together

authorize the communication of personalorganizations defending the rights of

information to the families of IndigenousFirst Nations women and Inuit womenchildren who went missing or died afterin Nunavik and various government

being admitted to an institution. The Bill isdepartments and bodies, with the goal ofa response to call for justice no. 20 in the

promoting joint action on issues specific to

NIMMIWG report.

Indigenous women.
 A measure in the 2018 budget to provide

The Québec government sees Indigenous$14.4 million in funding for measures

women as playing an essential role. They not

to combat spousal and family violence

only constitute, within their communities, aaffecting the First Nations and Inuit.

vulnerable group whose living conditions must

Several partnership agreements havebe improved, but they are also social anchors

been signed with Indigenous partners tofor both their families and their communities,

support projects to raise awareness andand this role must receive recognition. They

prevent spousal and family violence.

offer enormous potential for change, which A measure in the 2020 budget to provide$200 million over five years to implement
the recommendations of the two inquiry
commissions. Meetings with Indigenous
chiefs and representatives have led toagreement on sixteen actions concerning,in particular, culturally-secure approaches
in the health and social services system,
improved training and methods for
Indigenous police forces, awarenessmust be encouraged. The Québec government
will continue to implement the NIMMIWG
recommendations as part of the process it hasestablished with its Indigenous partners, andwill deploy a range of actions connected withprevention and intervention in the area of
violence against Indigenous women and girls.
Québec is determined to improve the living
conditions and meet the specific needs of
Indigenous women in Québec.

training on Indigenous realities for public
service employees, the justice system,

Ian Lafrenière
Ministre responsable des Affaires autochtones

71Schedule
Public Inquiry Commission On Relations
Between Indigenous Peoples And Certain
Public Services In Québec And National
Inquiry Into Missing And Murdered
Indigenous Women And Girls

Increased access to professional upgrading programs
at the École nationale de police du Québec for more
Indigenous police officers
Hiring of Indigenous liaison officers at the office of the
Police Ethics Commissioner and the Laboratoire descience judiciaire et de médecine légale

Measures announced on May 21, 2021 by the Québec
government. An amount of $200 million has been

Development and dispensing of training programs forallocated by the Québec government to respond tocorrectional services employees

the calls for action made by the two commissions ofinquiry. Other announcements will follow.

Financial support for prevention and intervention
projects, organized by and for Indigenous women andMeasuresgirls, in connection with sexual exploitation and otherforms of sexual violence

Implementation of culturally-secure approaches in
the health and social services sector, working with

Development of specific modules on key issues

partners

to improve general online training on Indigenous
Support for the implementation of two pilot projects

realities for government employees in the public andfor housing centres for Indigenous students (measureparapublic sectors

enriched in December 2020)
Creation of an awareness-raising campaign to combat
racism and discrimination against Indigenous people

Intervention and training for Indigenous police forcesin the area of domestic violence, sexual assault andFunding and support for the development of adapted

intra-family violenceinterventions by CAVACs in Indigenous communities
Cooperation, support and reinforcement for

to ensure culturally relevant and secure services for

Indigenous police forces

victims of crime

Increased access to the First Nation Basic program in

Agreements with Indigenous organizations to train,police patrolling for aspiring police officers hired byaccredit and hire Indigenous-language interpreters for

Indigenous police forces

the courts
Funding for parajudicial advisors (new agreements,
improved conditions and increased remuneration)
72

Ontario

Introductory Statement
On May 27, 2021, Ontario released Pathways to

Ontario has a strong foundation of well-established

Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Reportinitiatives that have demonstrated positive outcomesof the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered— initiatives Indigenous partners have named as wise

Indigenous Women and Girls, the province’s response

practices that should be followed. Some of the key

to the National Inquiry. We are grateful for the

initiatives being bolstered under the Strategy include:

strong, resilient voices of Indigenous women, girls

Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy; a distinct

and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,

Indigenous approach to Child Welfare Redesign;

Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual plus

the Family Well-Being Program; and, the Indigenous(2SLGBTQQIA+) people who bravely shared their

Healing and Wellness program.

experiences and offered their advice and expertise to
Fulfilling the 231 Calls for Justice will require long-guide our path forward.

term, ongoing, systemic, structural, government-wide
actions guided by the following principles:

Ontario’s whole-of-government strategy seeks toaddress the complex and long-standing root causesof violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

 Anti-Indigenous racism and equity

people. Ontario is building a future where all Partnership and collaboration

Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people live in safety and security, free from violence Local, specific and tailored interventions

and exploitation, supported by accountable and Sustainability, responsibility and accountability.

ongoing systemic and structural changes.

Ontario’s strategy integrates initiatives across
12 ministries to support six pathways for action

Current Progressconnected to the four principles identified by
the National Inquiry. The actions under these six

Ontario worked in collaboration with the Indigenous

pathways will help create the systemic changes

Women’s Advisory Council to develop Pathways torequired to eliminate the root causes of violence,

Safety. Members of the Council are Indigenous women

restore Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ leaders and violence prevention

peoples’ power and place within society, and advanceexperts from across the province.

meaningful reconciliation.

73

Pathways for Action:
 Pathway to Safety and Security: Prevention and Healing: Promoting safety, healing and wellness for Indigenous women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people through prevention-focused resources, investments
and programs.
 Pathway to Culture: Education and Language: Focusing on Indigenous-informed approaches to education, training,
employment and language revitalization in First Nation, Inuit, Métis andurban Indigenous communities.
 Pathway to Health and Well-Being: Community-Led Renewal and Restoration:
 Ensuring Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+-centered approaches tohealth system delivery, including programs and services to improve access,promote safety, and increase culturally relevant services across Ontario.
 Pathway to Justice: Systems Transformation and Structural Change:
 Focusing on systems-wide transformation informed by Indigenous
perspectives in priority areas including justice, policing, and child welfare.
 Pathway to Responsibility and Accountability: Delivering strong accountability measures, including a performancemeasurement framework and an annual progress report together with
Indigenous partners to be released annually on or before June 3rd.
 Pathway to Identifying and Addressing Systemic Anti-Indigenous Racism andIndigenous Gender Based Analysis:
 Focusing on a government-wide approach to addressing anti-Indigenous
racism and developing an Indigenous gender-based analysis approach to
inform Ontario's strategy.

74

Priorities and Next Steps

Closing Statement

An integral part of Ontario’s strategy is to work

Ontario is building upon the strong work we havewith Indigenous partners to develop a performancedone together and focusing on advancing cross-measurement framework, to report publicly on

cutting change across all sectors of society to moreprogress, and to identify areas for further work.

fully respond to the complex and long-standing issues

Strengthened by this renewed commitment tothat continue to impact Indigenous women, girls andmeaningful progress, Ontario will continue to

2SLGBTQQIA+ people. In partnership with Indigenous

collaborate with Indigenous partners, including

leaders and organizations, we will continue on these

the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council, topathways to safety by confronting and eliminating

ensure Indigenous voices guide implementation of

the root causes of violence so future generations of

the strategy.

Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
are safe to live their lives free from violence.
As Ontario looks forward, we are working with theguidance of Indigenous partners to address theoverrepresentation of Indigenous youth in the justicesystem. We are improving access to health services,supporting postsecondary Indigenous learners andaddressing widespread systemic racism experienced
by Indigenous peoples in our health care system.
Finally, Ontario will build improved awareness of antiIndigenous racism among the Ontario Public Service.

75

Manitoba
Introductory Statement
As we mark the second anniversary of the release ofof Indigenous women and girls and marks ourthe Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing

commitment toward a government-wide, integrated

and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, weand coordinated approach to ending gender-

acknowledge and honour the Indigenous women, girls,

based violence.

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families and communities

Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous andwho have lost loved ones to this unspeakable national

Northern Relations

tragedy and we further acknowledge and honour
survivors who have experienced trauma and violence.

Current Progress

The tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous

Under the umbrella of Manitoba’s Gender-Basedwomen and girls is deeply felt in Manitoba. It is

Violence Committee of Cabinet, Manitoba Indigenous

imperative that we continue to honour the memories ofand Northern Relations is leading the work, with thethose who have been taken and that we support those

support of Manitoba Status of Women and otherwho have been impacted.

departments that will form the basis of Manitoba’s
response to the National Inquiry and Calls for

On August 24, 2016, Manitoba joined with other

Justice. This work includes an engagement processprovinces and territories and affirmed its participation

with community-based organizations, Indigenous

in the National Inquiry as a means to put an end to theleadership, families and survivors and a detailed cross-cycle of trauma and violence, advance reconciliation

department review of current and planned activities

and support the families of missing and murderedrelated to missing and murdered Indigenous women

Indigenous women and girls. On December 6, 2018,

and girls.

Manitoba announced its intention to take concerted
and coordinated action to combat gender-based
violence under the leadership of a new Gender-Based
Violence Committee of Cabinet.
This Committee provides leadership with respect
to our efforts to prevent the further victimization76 The provision of $6.4 million, in April 2021, to 24
community organizations to deliver programs that
address the diverse needs of victims, including$850,000 for agencies that support survivors of
sexual violence.

Red lights lit up
on the Manitoba

 Continued efforts to work with Indigenous

legislature building inhonour of MMIWG

leadership, police agencies and other community

on February 14th,

partners to more fully incorporate the use of2020 – The Annual

restorative justice options where appropriate.

MMIWG March/Walk The establishment of the Sexual Violence
Awareness and Prevention Act.

The broader engagement plan is essential to ensure
an aligned and effective path forward, and is intended The implementation of new and enhanced

to capitalize on Manitoba’s strong, dedicated andsupports in the Justice system for victims ofvibrant networks who continue to work to put an

intimate partner violence.

end to violence against Indigenous women and girls.

 The expansion of a “hub model” for integrated

The engagement process is ongoing, with over 40

youth services, including mental health andcommunity-based organizations having participatedaddictions services for youth and young adults.

to date. Engagement with families and survivors

 The establishment of a pilot partnership with

continues and is being led by Indigenous organizations
with funding support from the Manitoba government.

the Winnipeg Police Service aimed at developing

The cross-departmental review is well underway anddomestic violence through the co-location

new approaches to support families experiencingof specialized Justice staff at the Winnipeg

the results are expected to complement what is heard

Police Headquarters.

through engagement and contribute to a fulsome
and coordinated approach to responding to the Final

For more information please visit:

Report and Calls for Justice.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/inr/mmiwg/index.html

Manitoba is working to develop a concrete andeffective response to the National Inquiry that builds

Closing Statement

on work that is underway at the community-level andAddressing violence against Indigenous womenaligns with the main pillars of Manitoba’s Frameworkand girls, and incidences of missing and murderedfor Addressing Gender-Based Violence. It is intended thatIndigenous women and girls, is a priority for Manitoba.

this response will serve as a starting point for ongoing

We will continue to work with Indigenous women,

work that will evolve and grow over time.

girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+, families, survivors, leadershipand communities to advance concrete action to

In the meantime, Manitoba is pursuing a wide variety

respond to the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiryof more immediate activities that align with the Calls

and promote a future where Indigenous womenfor Justice and support efforts to end violence against

and girls can thrive in an environment of safety

Indigenous women and girls. Examples of theseand security.

activities include:77

Saskatchewan
Introduction
The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to contribute to the National Action Plan on Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The Final Report of the National Inquiry provided
a voice for the families of MMIWG and survivors of violence. Understanding that government has a
responsibility to address this tragic issue, Saskatchewan has developed and advanced a number of
initiatives, policies and programs in partnership and through engagement with Indigenous peoples.
The following provides a brief overview of Saskatchewan’s efforts to create lasting change.

CultureThe Government of Saskatchewan identifies cultural

Across the province, sponsorship and grants

inclusion and diversity as a priority and builds

provide Indigenous organizations and community

partnerships through engagement with Indigenous

the opportunity to advance initiatives for cultural

peoples. Understanding Indigenous history and culture

activities, events, and projects that enhanceis crucial in addressing the challenges Indigenous

awareness, education initiatives, and professional

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people face. As

development opportunities.

such, all Government of Saskatchewan employees
are required to participate in Aboriginal Awareness

Health and Wellness

Training and Respect in the Workplace. Other

Health and wellness are imperative to the overall

training and education programs made available are:needs of Indigenous peoples. The government

Culturally Responsive Training, the KAIROS Blanket

provides funding for and works with local

Exercise, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, and Canadianorganizations to develop health and wellness training,

Indigenous Culture.

education and programs to address violence andabuse, and to provide culturally-safe and trauma-

The guidance of Elders, Traditional Knowledge

informed programs and services. Community wellness

Keepers, and Indigenous Advisors guide programand suicide prevention initiatives are supported bydevelopment, working group meetings, andgovernment and focus on preventative measures for

symposiums to ensure an Indigenous lens is applied.

suicide related to the causes of people going missing
and becoming victims of violence.

78

The Traditional Pathways Program is one

In 2020-21, the government invested inexample of a unique, culturally responsive

Indigenous post-secondary institutions

initiative that provides access to traditional

and programs throughout the province tomedicine supports and services to First

increase the success of Indigenous students,

Nations and Métis patients.

including women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people. Investments were also made to

As of February 1, 2021, Saskatchewan

provide resources for educational training

discontinued the practice known as birth orand employment opportunities to ensurematernity alerts. This decision aligns with

continued growth in the economy throughthe National Inquiry recommendations

Indigenous participation. Funding wasand acknowledges the concerns raised byprovided to the Indigenous and community-

various Indigenous partners and community

led Honouring Her Spark project thatstakeholders across Saskatchewan about

creates opportunities for participation in thethis practice. The government, along with its

economy, cultural and traditional knowledge

partners, continue to ensure supports andaccess, healing and learning.

services are available to expectant mothers.
Funding is provided for safe shelters,

Human Security

programs, and services across the province,

The importance of ensuring and promoting
the safety and security of Indigenous peoples
is paramount; this includes a focus on
economic reconciliation. The Governmentof Saskatchewan works in partnership with
Indigenous people and communities toincrease the economic stability and securityof women and families, which contributes togreater safety.

and includes Indigenous organizations thatprovide wrap-around services to clientswith complex needs. The Government of
Saskatchewan also partners with First
Nations and Métis housing authorities toprovide housing for those in need.
A multi-year public awareness campaign
was released in November 2020 with a focus
on addressing the behaviours, beliefs, andculture that surround interpersonal violence
and abuse. Additionally, the province enacted
The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure
Protocol (Clare’s Law) in 2020, and focuses on
initiatives such as Indigenous Family Violence
programs and Missing Person Liaisons.

79Justice
Supports for culturally appropriate justice programs

Additionally, annual funding is provided fordelivered by or in partnership with Indigenous

community groups and community police

communities and organizations include a province-boards to create crime prevention andwide restorative justice initiative with 20 community-

reduction strategies in First Nations, Métis

based agencies and four school-based programs.

and non-status Indigenous communities.

Since January 2018, the Province has appointed fiveself-declared Indigenous judges to the Provincial
Court of Saskatchewan, three of whom are women.
To enhance civilian oversight of policing in theprovince, Saskatchewan introduced The Police (Serious
Incident Response Team) Amendment Act, 2021. Thischange implements a civilian-led independent Serious
Incident Response Team (SIRT) to investigate all
matters of sexual assault, domestic assault, serious
injury, or death while in the custody of the police or asa result of the actions of on-or off-duty police officers.
The SIRT includes Indigenous representation byrequiring a First Nations or Métis community liaison tocoordinate with the victim and/or their families, advise
investigators on community interactions and publicly
report a summary of investigations.

Conclusion and Next Steps
The Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to working with
Indigenous peoples and organizations to implement the Calls for Justicein a responsible, timely and accountable manner. The government
continues to engage with Indigenous partners and communities toincrease security and safety for women and girls in our province. For
more information on government programs and initiatives, please see:https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/112884.

80Alberta

Introduction from Hon. Rick Wilson,
Minister of Indigenous Relations
Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in

Together, we will develop community-informed policy

Alberta demonstrate resilience, strength and courageand programs that will result in real solutions focusedin their ongoing efforts to advance the safety andon the safety and security of Indigenous women, girls

security of their families and communities. Alberta isand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

committed to working together to address the highrates of violence that Indigenous women, girls andAlberta continues to learn from our provincial and

2SLGBTQQIA+ people continue to experience.

territorial partners about Indigenous-developed anddelivered best and emerging practices to address

As the minister of Indigenous Relations, I attended

violence against Indigenous women, girls andthe release of the National Inquiry into Missing and

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Final Report,
Reclaiming Power and Place, in 2019. It was life altering.

Alberta is committed to a path of reconciliation with

I listened to and met with families and survivors whose

Indigenous Peoples and in the spirit and intent of

lives changed forever due to violence and murder.

the Treaties. As part of this path, Alberta supports
the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the

I vowed then that Alberta’s government would be

Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2021 Missing andtireless in its commitment to end violence against

Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

People National Action Plan: Ending Violence against
Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

To achieve this goal, Alberta placed Indigenous

People within the boundaries of our Treaties, thePeoples at the heart of our efforts. We are working

Constitution, federal and provincial jurisdiction andwith survivors, family members, Indigenous

the constitutional common law.

communities and partners to identify and support
Indigenous-led and community-centered solutions.

81

In March 2020, Alberta established the Alberta Joint
Working Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous
In 2019, Minister of Indigenous
Relations, Rick Wilson,
declared October 4, Sistersin Spirit Day and accepted a
Red Dress, commissioned andgifted by Awo Taan Healing
Lodge Society. The Red Dressis on display in the Federal
Building in Edmonton. Artist
Emily Taylor.

Women and Girls (Joint Working Group) made up
of four Indigenous women and three members of
the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The Indigenous
members have personal and professional knowledge
about the realities that leave Indigenous women, girls
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people vulnerable to violencein Alberta. The MLAs are strongly committed tocreating a safer society for Indigenous Peoples. The
Joint Working Group will recommend and advise
our government on actions that Alberta should taketo address violence against Indigenous women,

As we move forward on this critical issue, we will keep

girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in response to the

our focus on community, while reaching out to our

National Inquiry.

many partners, including local, provincial/territorial,

Accomplishments and initiatives

and federal governments on our shared path toreconciliation that includes an end to violence against

Alberta immediately acted in response to the National

Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Inquiry’s report, particularly on critical matters,
including violence prevention, raising awareness about

Indigenous-led community focus

violence prevention, and standing against violence

A future where Indigenous women, girls andtoward Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience equality andpeople. Actions include the following:

respect in a violence-free province will take long-term
commitment, policy, program and societal shifts as Declared October 4, 2019 and 2020 as Sisters

well as multiple actions spanning many years. Ourin Spirit Day to honour the memory of missing

government is addressing this national tragedy withand murdered Indigenous women and girls, their

Indigenous women guiding our way.

families and loved ones, and to raise awarenessabout the importance of standing up against
violence as individuals and communities.
 Entered into a five-year contribution agreementwith the Institute for the Advancement of
Aboriginal Women, an Indigenous women's nonprofit organization that promotes the rights
of Indigenous women. This funding ensures
Indigenous women have an organization to go tofor advocacy, programs and services.

82 Established the Human Trafficking Task Force torecommend ways to implement Alberta’s action plan
against human trafficking.
 Enacted legislation to help protect individuals
from domestic violence - Disclosure to Protect
Against Domestic Violence Act (Clare’s Law), andHuman Trafficking - Protecting Survivors of Human
Trafficking Act.
 Established the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism
and Status of Women with a dedicated unit to leadinitiatives that address and prevent violence against
women and girls.
 Funded public awareness strategies identified
by Indigenous partners to tackle the barriers toeliminating discrimination against Indigenous
peoples through the Multiculturalism, Indigenous
and Inclusion Grant Program in Alberta.
 Continued to support the First Nations and the
Métis Women’s Councils on Economic Security,
which provide recommendations on government
policies, programs and services that can improve
the lives of Indigenous women, their families
and communities.

Priorities and Next Steps
Alberta will act on the advice and recommendations
from the Joint Working Group expected in
December 2021. Their report will ensure the voices
and experiences of Indigenous women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people are at the heart of Alberta’s
efforts to end violence. In this way, our government
honours and reflects the National Inquiry’s Calls
for Justice. Indigenous voices and experiences mustbe, and in Alberta will be, the key to preventing andeliminating violence against Indigenous women, girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

83

British Columbia
Introductory Statement

Highlights/Current Progress

On behalf of the Province of BC, I am pleased to

In February 2019, the Province of BC committed tocontribute to the National Action Plan, by highlighting

the development of a path forward to ending violence.

key priorities and progress related to ending violence

The term ‘path forward’ was an intentional one,against Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA

reflecting an understanding that our work together

people. Through the information shared in thiswould change direction over time based on challenges

contribution, including links provided to key resources,

and successes – that our shared history and thewe hope to provide greater understanding of BC’s

complex issues that have come from it could not beapproach to ending violence and to demonstrate ourfully addressed in a single, point in time response.

commitment to meaningful change.

It was critical that family members, survivors,
community representatives, and others, identified key

We understand that this is complex work that requires

priorities and opportunities to inform the foundationa holistic approach to addressing the intergenerational

for the path forward.

trauma and inequity faced by Indigenous communities
since colonization. Addressing this trauma andDuring the summer of 2019, 12 community dialogue

its systemic causes will require real, intentionalsessions were held across British Columbia to bringcollaboration not only with Indigenous communities,

together individuals from communities across the

but with all British Columbians.

province. The final report of these dialogue sessions,“Path Forward Women & GirlsOn behalf of my provincial government colleagues,

Safety Community Sessions

I would like to recognize the wisdom, advocacy

Action Plan and Toolkit” wasand ongoing action of family members, survivors,

released in Autumn, 2019.

community leaders and partners. Their dedication

The report outlines theto identifying and actioning solutions to prevent,main themes from each ofprotect and respond to violence against Indigenous

the twelve sessions along

women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA peoples has had anwith short-term, medium-

immeasurable impact on all British Columbians.

term and long-term goals,
action items and a toolkit ofresources for communities
to use in their own work
moving forward.

84

Through these sessions, participants helped to

In addition to this work, significant progress has been

articulate four key priority themes:

made to address systemic causes of violence andfulfill provincial commitments to reconciliation with

 Safe Spaces and Safety Plans

Indigenous peoples. For example:

 Healing Support

 In March 2019, TogetherBC, BC’s first ever Strengthening Relationships with Partners

poverty reduction strategy, was released; Access to Resources and Recommendations

 In June 2019, the Province of BC released A

The Path Forward community dialogues were

Pathway to Hope: A Roadmap to Making Mental

continued in Spring 2021. As with the first round of

Health and Addictions Care Better for People incommunity dialogues in 2019, these sessions used

British Columbia;

the same process of traditional Indigenous decision- In November 2019, Government passed themaking to create a safe space for participants.

BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Act, making BC the first jurisdiction to

In response to the perspective and input shared bypass legislation to bring the UN Declaration intofamily members, survivors and community members,

effect; and,the Province acknowledges key components that are In March 2020, the Province of BC and BC First

critical for success:Nations Justice Council signed the First Nations
Justice Strategy.

 Increased community capacity, and recognition of
the agency of Indigenous communities

These foundational strategies, and resulting initiatives, ‘Re-centering’ Indigenous womenby the Province have been developed in collaboration

 Re-imagining of ‘safe spaces’

with Indigenous partners, and serve as only a few
examples of our government’s commitment to address Meaningful collaboration across all levels of

the systemic causes of violence, and the impact of thisgovernment.

violence on Indigenous communities.

 Respecting diversity and distinction85

Priorities and Next Steps

Closing Statement

Reflecting community-based priorities, andThe contribution of family members,

to set a solid foundation for a path forward tosurvivors, community members andending violence, the Province of BC is making

government partners has laid a solid

an initial $5.5M investment in 2021/22, with afoundation for meaningful action. We

commitment to additional, multi-year funding.

are committed to ongoing collaboration

Specifically, the Province will invest directly inas we build and implement the patha community fund - accessible to First Nations

forward together.

communities, urban/off reserve communities,
Métis citizens and 2SLGBTQQIA communities

This National Action Plan provides additional– to support capacity to develop safety plans.

opportunities to identify meaningful
solutions to systemic causes of violence

Additionally, the Province will make a number

against Indigenous women and girls andof aligned investments to increase the impact

2SLGBTQQIA people. We are committedof the community fund. These include:

to continuing this work in meaningful
collaboration with community, government

 An Indigenous-led technology initiative; An Indigenous data and evaluationand sector partners.

Links

initiative; and,
 The development of 2SLGBTQQIA

Additional Information and resources related

training and education resources for theto community input and early Provincial

public service.

priorities can be found at:

The Province will also invest incommemoration and honouring of Indigenous

BC Path Forward:

women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA peoples who

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/

have gone missing or been murdered, andabout-bcs-justice-system/recent-inquiries

their family members.
Community Dialogues andAs we continue to build the path forward,

Community Toolkit:

the Province remains committed to ongoing

www.pathforward.ca

engagement with community, and tohonouring and respecting the expertise,

BC Reflection (June 3, 2020):

agency and leadership of Indigenous women.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-

The Province will also continue to be a strong

crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/

collaborator with the federal government andinquiries/mmiw/mmiwg-overview-report.pdf

provincial and territorial partners in order todevelop meaningful responses to the National
Action Plan.
86

YukonIntroductory Statement
Yukon is home to 14 First Nations and 8 language

Yukon is proud of the legacy of strong advocacy andgroups with 25% of the territory’s population

creative partnerships to address violence against

identifying as Indigenous. Far too many families andIndigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

communities have been significantly impacted by thein the territory. In 2015, shortly after the first Yukon

murder and disappearance of Indigenous women, girls,

Regional Roundtable on MMIWG2S+, the Yukon

and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Advisory Committee (YAC) was formed to be a catalyst
for partnership, to support families and survivors

This ancient land is home to generations of remarkableof MMIWG2S+, and to support involvement in theleaders, as evidenced by the seminal document

National Inquiry. The YAC represents a unique,“Together Today for our Children Tomorrow” that was

decolonized, inter-agency approach, co-chaired bydelivered to Ottawa in 1973, paving the way to thethe Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate

development and signing of modern treaties between(Government of Yukon), a representative of Yukon

1993 and 2005 in Yukon by 11 First Nations. Yet weFirst Nations governments, and a representative ofknow that traditional territories precede provincial

Indigenous women’s organizations. The YAC also

and territorial boundaries, a testament to the need forincludes representatives of all three Indigenousinter-jurisdictional cooperation, to which Government

women’s organizations, MMIWG2S+ families andof Yukon is committed. This commitment extends tosurvivors, Two-spirit+ Yukoners, Elders and withall of Canada with Yukon’s provision of the Provincial/

Government of Canada and the RCMP “M” Division as

Territorial co-chair for the National Action Plan Core

ex-officio members.

Working Group since October, 2020.

87

Current Progress
Upon the release of the Final Report of

Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy represents an

the National Inquiry on June 3, 2019, theunprecedented commitment to addressing

YAC worked together to outline the top

violence against Indigenous women, girls, andpriorities for Yukon. This was followed by a

Two-spirit+ Yukoners. It is unique in its “wholecomprehensive community engagement tourof Yukon” approach; not Government of Yukon

with First Nations, municipal, and community

alone. Based on local priorities, the Strategy

leadership, and two, COVID-safe, on-the-will guide Yukon’s response to addressing theland gatherings of MMIWG2S+ families andNational Inquiry’s finding of genocide and its

survivors who are at the heart of this work.

Calls for Justice over the next 10-15 years.

After adjustment to reflect the feedback ofpartners and stakeholders, the final versionof Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity

Priorities and Next Stepsand Justice: Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy

Working from the commitment of thewas released at the Kwanlin Dün Culture

signatories to the 31 action areas in the Yukon

Centre in ceremony on December 10, 2020.

MMIWG2S+ Strategy, the Yukon Advisory

A declaration to support the Strategy was

Committee has now created a Technicalsigned by 52 signatories of the Government ofWorking Group to finalize the Implementation

Canada, Government of Yukon, all 14 Yukon

Plan. This will outline concrete and detailed

First Nation governments, all municipalities,

actions for partners and stakeholders.

Indigenous women’s organizations, the RCMP
This Strategy is also meant to build upon,and other local leaders.

not replace, promising practices that are
Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy addresses all

already underway that will positively affectfour key pathways identified by the National

Indigenous women, girls, and Two-spirit+

Inquiry that continue to enforce the historic

Yukoners. This includes, but is not limited to,and contemporary manifestations ofshared key initiatives like:colonialism that lead to additional violence.
The Strategy maps 31 action areas under four
corresponding paths to dignity and justice: Implementation of the Putting People
First Final Report, the final report of an
independent comprehensive review
on health and social services in Yukon.

1. Building Connections & Support

The resulting 2020 report includes

2. Community Safety & Justice

76 recommendations on health and3. Economic Independence & Education
4. Community Action & Accountabilitysocial services; Breaking Trail Together, a 10-year
strategic plan to achieve a representative
Yukon public service that is inclusive of
Yukon First Nation people, as outlined in
Chapter 22 in each Yukon First Nation
Final Agreement;88 Implementation of a new universal child caremodel, based on the principles of affordability,

Closing Statement

quality, and accessibility, designed to save families

Government of Yukon will continue to work in aup to $700 per month per child participating indecolonized, values-based approach, building strong

licensed full-time child care programs;

government-to-government relationships with First
Nations, keeping MMIWG2S+ families and survivors

 In collaboration with Yukon First Nation

at the heart of our work, and with a people-centred

governments and Council of Yukon First Nations,approach to wellness that helps all Yukoners - but

committing to Honouring Connections, amost importantly Indigenous women, girls, andcollaborative process developed to address the2SLGBTQQIA+ people – thrive. Government ofsystemic over-representation of First Nations

Yukon is committed to collaborative implementation

children in the child-welfare system; andof Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity and Justice: Amending the Employment Standards Act to provide

Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy and to Canada’s National

leave provisions for domestic and sexualized andAction Plan.

domestic violence , providing leave to a victim,
family member, or close friend, in recognition ofbroader understandings of family and kinship in
Yukon First Nations.
One of the early priorities of implementation of
Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy in 2021-22 is to bringpartners and contributors together, when it is safe to
do so, alongside family members and survivors. An
Accountability Forum will be held in the next year
to share successes and efforts, while also hearing
evolving priorities and adjusting Yukon’s MMIWG2S+
Strategy, as needed.

89Northwest Territories

Introduction

Statistics

Survivors and families of missing and murdered 51% of the population of the NWT is Indigenous –Indigenous women in the Northwest Territories

Dene or First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

(NWT) deserve our respect and help. The Government

 The Violent Crime rate in the NWT is 7 timesof the Northwest Territories (GNWT) acknowledges

higher than the average Canadian rate

and recognizes the contributions of the many

 NWT has the second highest rate of police-

people who have shared their experiences and madereported family violence in Canada

recommendations for change as a part of the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Many communities in the NWT have limited to no

Women and Girls and the development of the Finalroad access.

Report: Reclaiming Power and Place. Their courage has

 Only 38% of Indigenous women in the NWTprovided us with a strong platform to effect change.

consider their health to be good.

It is now up to us to address the systemic causes of Almost 30% of Indigenous northerners in the NWTviolence directed at Indigenous women, girls andlive in a dwelling in need of major repairs (2016)

2LGBTQQIA+ people.

Current ProgressThis report highlights work that is being done in the
NWT to respond to the 231 Calls for Justice fromThe Government of the Northwest Territories has

the National Inquiry. Our process involves an honest

committed to its own action plan in response to theassessment of what we are currently doing, what

Calls to Justice. Work in this area to date has included:

we need to do in the future and setting targets tomeasure progress moving forward. We are committed

 Doing Our Part - GNWT Initial Response

to improving the safety and well-being of Indigenous Taking Action - A Work Plan to address the Calls

women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

for Justice in Reclaiming Power and Place: Final
Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls90 MMIWG Summary Reports – Responding
to the Calls for Justice

The GNWT continues to engage withfront-line stakeholders that work directly MMIWG Preliminary Engagement Plan
In March 2021, the GNWT launched theIndigenous Cultural Awareness Sensitivity
Training. This training, which is mandatory
for all GNWT employees and available tothe public for free, is an integral component
in creating a public service where cultural
diversity is appreciated, and where
people from diverse cultural backgrounds
communicate and work with mutual respect.
The GNWT also recently announced that allinternal financial management and program
decisions will go through a GBA+ analysis asa part of the regular review process for all
GNWT programs. These initiatives highlightsome of the systematic changes that are
occurring in the NWT.

with survivors of family violence including
the RCMP, shelters and victim services tocontinuously gauge what initiatives can beenacted to best respond to victim needs
during this time. The GNWT has identified
a need for greater coordination andaccountability in our collective responseto the incidence of family violence in thisterritory. To ensure this coordination, a
new family violence coordinator position
was approved and is required to develop aterritorial family violence strategy.
Amendments to the Employment Standards Act
and Regulations came into force on January
1, 2020, which includes the introductionof Family Violence leave. This new leave
provides 5 paid and 5 unpaid days which

The Gender Equity Division is a new unit
within the Department of Executive andIndigenous Affairs that expands on the workof the Women’s Advisory Office. The intent
of the division is to ensure that the GNWT’s
commitment to gender equality is reflected inbudgets, policies and programs. This unit will
also coordinate and support the intersectional
and interdepartmental work required toaddress gender equity throughout the NWT,
as well as the impacts of misogyny and family
and gender-based violence.

can be taken by eligible employees to seek
support or safety when dealing with a family
violence situation.
Early in the process, the Department of
Executive and Indigenous Affairs, throughthe Women’s Advisory Office reached out
to a number of Indigenous governments to
identify a contact person that they can keepin contact with regarding the MMIWG files.
Monthly teleconference calls are held withthese community contacts where regularbriefings are provided on the work the GNWT
is doing to prepare an Action Plan and on
the developments taking place nationally.
Meetings notes are prepared and shared withthe community contacts, and community
contacts are encouraged to share thosemeeting notes with their leadership. The
Women’s Advisory Office also has a standing
offer to provide briefings to leadership.

91

An interdepartmental MMIWG Working Group was also established to coordinate the GNWT’s response to theCalls for Justice. This working group is chaired by the Special Advisor to the Minister Responsible for the Status
of Women and includes appointed representatives from a number of departments.

Priorities and Next Steps

Closing Statement

The GNWT recognizes that this work cannot be done

The time for change is now. As a government, weby governments alone. We will continue to collaborate

pride ourselves on our ability to work with our valued

with Indigenous governments and community

partners to respond to the needs of NWT residents.

organizations to respond to the needs of Indigenous

We must be open to examining the Calls for Justicewomen, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people in the NWT.

from multiple perspectives. Working together we will

The following activities are planned going forward:

address systemic causes of violence, inequality, andracism so Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA Engagement with key NWT stakeholders on thepeople can feel safe and empowered in our territory

Territorial Action Planand our country.

 Completion of the Territorial Action Plan to betabled in Fall 2021

92

Nunavut
Introductory Statement

Culture:Nunavut’s implementation of the Calls for Justice from

 Nunavut leads the country in Indigenous

the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing

language recognition. Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun

and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls requires

are recognized as official languages in Nunavut

in addition to a whole of Government approach, itthrough the Official Languages Act and Inuit

requires engagement and ongoing collaboration with

Language Protection Act. The Inuit Language

Nunavut Inuit organizations and other territorial andProtection Act and Education Act acknowledge,

community stakeholders.

recognize, and protect the rights of Inuit to theirculture and language as constitutionally protected
inherent rights.

Of the 231 Calls for Justice, 46 are Inuit-specific.
The Inquiry’s Final Report distinguishes the violence

Health & Wellness:experienced by Inuit in time and place, including the The GN is committed to ensuring services are

unique Inuit experience of colonialism much later

Inuit-centred and community-based, as evidenced

than in First Nations and Métis communities. It also

by the Nunavut Wellness Agreement, its trauma,

recognizes the realities of Inuit who experience healthstrength-based and gender-informed practices,and social issues at much higher rates than non-Inuit,and community-based programming for survivors

particularly in terms of chronic conditions, but whoof trauma and violence.

are perpetually underserviced in terms of health andsocial resources within their own communities. This The GN’s Quality of Life Committee, or Inuusivut,

relates to some of the challenges of life in remote andwas created to provide overall management,

northern communities and the way these geographicalsupport and leadership in suicide prevention andrealities shape the root causes of violence.

implement the GN’s Suicide Prevention Strategy– which includes men’s wellness and child abuse

Current Progress

prevention training. It provides guidance andMany Government of Nunavut (GN) programs andInquiry’s Calls for Justice.

leadership on many activities related the National

services already address some of the components for The GN, NTI and federal government signed a Joint

the Calls for Justice.

Declaration of Intent on funding commitments
for the construction and operation of a Recovery
Centre in Nunavut as part of a three-pillar approach
to trauma and addiction treatment in Nunavut.
93 The GN also works with community-basedorganizations to provide on the land healing camps.
 The GN has incorporated gender identity and gender
expression into its Human Rights Act. In addition, with

The establishment of priorities andsupport from federal funding, the GN announced

development of a strategy to implement

funding to support gender equality. There are alreadythe Calls for Justice must be based on allplans develop and implement transgender healtheight principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit:

policies and procedures.
 Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: respecting

Safety & Human Security:

the survivors and families, partner

 The GN is actively working to build safe and caringorganizations and others;

schools for Nunavut students that discourage all Tunnganarniq: fostering good

forms of violence (Safe and Caring School Framework).
The department also provides training programs

spirit among Nunavummiut andorganizations;on many topics such as Health Relationships and Pijitsirniq: serving and providing

Bullying Prevention.

for victims, their families, and all The GN is participating in the federal government’s

Nunavummiut by implementing andprocess to enshrine the United Nations

monitoring the Calls for Justice;

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People into

 Aajiiqatigiinniq: decision-making

federal legislation.

through discussion and consensus

 To support the coordination of programs and towith all territorial partners to ensure

better support vulnerable Nunavummiut the GN

successful implementation of a

has implemented a new initiative - Community
Coordination for Women’s Safety. This will allow for thestrengthening of community level prevention services
and coordinate initiatives to improve women’s safety.

territory-wide response to the Calls
for Justice; Pilimmaksarniq or Pijariuqsarniq:
development of the personal,

Justice:community and systemic skills required The GN’s Victim Services Unit disseminates public

to improve attitudes toward andeducation campaigns to raise awareness on issues

incidents of violence against Inuit

faced by victims of crime and MMIWG, and the Calls

women through effort and action;

for Justice have been a focus of this initiative. The Qanuqtuurniq: territorial partners

Victim Services Unit has also developed workshops
and information sessions to educate front-line service
providers about trauma-informed approaches toshould be innovative and resourcefulin their work to develop a strategy formeeting the Calls for Justice; anddecrease revictimization.

 Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq: respect
and care for the environment
and Inuit cultural and land-based
practices ensure the future success of
implementing a strategy.
94

Priorities and Next Steps

Closing Statement

The Final Report characterizes the Calls for Justice

The Government of Nunavut is uniquely placed toas legal imperatives, based on a solid foundation ofadvance the Calls for Justice over time, especiallyevidence and law, that arise from international andthe Inuit-specific ones, because its programs, policies

domestic human and Indigenous rights including theand initiatives are envisioned and implemented for aCharter of Rights and Freedoms, the Constitution,

population that is 85% Inuit.

and the Honour of the Crown. Requirements tosuccessfully implement the Calls for Justice include:

It is important that new and ongoing work is continued
over the short, medium and long term, and that we are Efforts that are more focused on preventative

held accountable for implementing the work required

measures than reactive ones to adequately

to answer the Calls for Justice. The extent of theseaddress the root causes of violence;

efforts, however, takes time to implement, and wemust also recognize the significant work already being Sufficient political will;

done to address this national priority.

 The need for governments to prioritize andresource solutions to end violence; Real partnerships between Governments
and Indigenous peoples that support selfdetermination and decolonization.

95

The Way Forward

As the federal government, provincial/territorial governments,
Indigenous governments, Indigenous representative
organizations, and Indigenous partners work together on thedevelopment of the National Action Plan in response to the Calls
for Justice and Calls for Miskotahâ, we recognize the importanceand the urgency of preventing and ending violence against
Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

During this collaborative effort to co-develop the

Respecting Indigenous Languages. The planning andNational Action Plan, some actions have already

implementation of the “Building a Foundation for

taken place, while others are being implemented. For

Change: Canada’s Anti- Racism Strategy 2019–2022”

instance, in 2019, a Commemoration fund was set up

and “It’s Time - Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address

to support healing and honour the lives and legacies

Gender-Based Violence” are among the various actionsof missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, andto support transformative changes in attitudes,

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, create awareness, and advance

behaviours, and knowledge within the broader society.

reconciliation by bringing together communities. Over
100 survivor-, community- and family-led projects

Grassroots organizations and communities continue

were funded under this initiative.50

to provide support and services to address all formsof gender- and race-based violence. Programs at

The start of a paradigm shift in policies and systems

shelters and transition housing, community safety

has begun by way of legislation reform in the areas ofplanning initiatives and activities to raise awarenessjustice, health and wellness, culture, and Indigenous

are several examples of services being provided byhuman rights that include inherent, Treaty, andorganizations and communities. The implementation

Constitutional Rights. This includes changes to theof housing strategies and the creation of new shelters

Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, theand transitional housing to support the well-being andintroduction of legislation to advance the Unitedsafety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,

people has also begun.

and passing and ongoing implementation of the Act

96

Immediate Next Steps
The National Inquiry’s Call for Justice 1.1(i) called for development andimplementation of a flexible and distinctions-based National Action Plan,
including regionally-specific plans with devoted funding and timelines
for implementation, rooted in local cultures and communities of diverse
Indigenous identities, with measurable goals and necessary resources
dedicated to capacity building, sustainability, and long-term solutions.
This 2021 National Action Plan lays out guiding principles, goals, shortterm priorities, immediate next steps, and a strategy/action plan fromthe National Family and Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners, andprovinces/territories. As discussed below, an in-depth implementation
plan for the National Action Plan will be developed with more specificinformation on the short-term priorities, as well as the identificationof medium- and long-term priorities. In addition, it will include funding,timelines and who is responsible for implementation.
The National Action Plan is not intended to be a final plan but one thatis evergreen and requires monitoring and reporting on progress, as well
as further co-development and course correction as required. It also
needs to be flexible to address the needs of remote, rural, and urban
communities. On the path to ending violence, reclaiming power andplace, and restoring the roles and responsibilities of Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, some of the 231 Calls for Justice and 62
Calls for Miskotahâ can be implemented fairly quickly. However, others
will require careful planning to achieve the desired results.
The National Inquiry’s Call for Justice 1.1 calls upon federal, provincial,territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, in partnership with
Indigenous people, to develop and implement a National Action Plan toaddress violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people. The following are immediate next steps that governments andrepresentative Indigenous organizations will focus on over the next 12months to implement the National Action Plan.

97

1. Immediate Support Services for Survivors
and Family Members

4. Public Awareness and Training Begin immediate work on the Provide funding to establish accessible

development of a public education/

healing and support services forawareness campaign on the issues

survivors and family members of

Indigenous people experience andmissing and murdered Indigenous

to challenge the acceptance andwomen, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

normalization of violence against

people wherever they are.

Indigenous women, girls, and Develop a comprehensive approach for

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

providing support to Indigenous and Implement trauma-informed training

2SLGBTQQIA+ victims and families/

for those who work with Indigenous

friends of Indigenous missing or

people, on topics such as history,

murdered Indigenous women, girls, andculture, issues, anti-racism, anti-sexism,

2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

anti-homophobia, transphobia, etc.

2. Continued Involvement of Survivors and

5. Immediate Development of an

Family Members in the Implementation

Implementation Planof the National Action Plan Develop an Implementation Plan for With adequate funding, the National

the National Action Plan that includes

Family and Survivors Circle will develop

the short-term priorities identified in

and implement an engagement strategy

the National Action Plan, as well asthat provides further opportunity formedium- and long-term priorities thatfamily and survivors to provide insightwill lead to real systemic change.

and input into the National Action
Plan’s next steps.

 Each priority will include specificactions, expected outcomes, timelines, The Contributing Partners will

and resources.

continue to complete their Action
and Implementation Plans built upon
their engagement with survivors andfamily members.

 Determine mechanisms and processes
for national independent oversightand coordination of the National
Action Plan, that includes Contributing
Partners and governments with

3. Create an Oversight Body

financial support.

 Creation of an oversight body which

 Continuance of Contributing

represents the interests of families,

Partners to continue to develop theirsurvivors, and Indigenous communities

implementation plans.

by investigating and addressing
complaints of mal-administration or aviolation of right.

98 Clearly define the roles andeffectiveness in creating transformative

responsibilities of all governmentschange and achieving decolonization.

(federal, provincial/territorial, municipal,

This could be part of the responsibilities

Indigenous) and Indigenous organizationsof the independent committee orto implement the 231 Calls for Justiceworking group.

and 62 Calls for Miskotahâ.

 Create data accountability mechanisms

 Develop an accountability/resultsrooted in Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

structure for the National Action Plan.
 An Indigenous and gender-based analysis

 Create an independent web portal topost annual reports which track theplus (GBA Plus) lens will be applied to theprogress on responding to the Calls for

implementation plan.

Justice and Calls for Miskotahâ.
 By June 2022, publish the first annual
report on progress in responding to

6. Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women and Girls Federal-Provincial/

the Calls for Justice and the Calls

Territorial Tablefor Miskotahâ.

 Create a Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women and Girls FederalProvincial/Territorial Table to provide a
specific forum to consider and coordinate
intergovernmental collaboration anddiscussion on various areas such asadministrative issues, policy, resourcing,
resolution of interjurisdictional

Monitoring Progress
Monitoring the progress of actions to address
all 231 Calls for Justice will require longterm and sustained effort from governments,
institutions, and other parties fulfilling their
responsibilities for change. As part of thiswork, monitoring process and progress will

responsibilities, and processes thatemerge from the implementation of the
National Action Plan.

be a critical component of understanding how
to adapt strategies and approaches to create
and achieve transformative change to Reclaim

7. Create Accountability Mechanisms for theReporting on the 231 Calls for Justice andPower and Place as Indigenous women, girls,
and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people starting now.

the 62 Calls for Miskotahâ

In today’s environment, data is an important Create broad accountability mechanisms

resource with the potential to influence policy

rooted in Indigenous data sovereignty
focused on truth-telling to ensure the
National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justiceand LFMO’s 62 Calls for Miskotahâ
are implemented by all governments(federal, provincial/territorial, municipal,
Indigenous) and organizations, andtheir outcomes are measured for99

and decision-making.

This strategy provides some suggestions for a pathforward founded in a recognition of, and respect for,Indigenous Data Sovereignty and for the essential roleof Indigenous Peoples in data collection and analysis
that involves them as the first stage of building amonitoring framework that is responsive to theprinciples that must support this work.

Indigenous Peoples have always created, used, andbeen stewards of our own data, employing unique

Please note that this section details the work

methodologies and practices. Indigenous knowledge

undertaken by the National Action Plan Data Sub-systems are based upon generations of these data

Working Group, which included representatives frompractices. These practices and methodologies haveIndigenous organizations and governments as wellbeen ignored. In addition, for too long, Indigenous

as Indigenous researchers and data specialists. Many

Peoples have been identified, misidentified, or notcontributing partners have also undertaken additional

identified, as well as analyzed, and researched withoutwork on identifying key structures for monitoring

consent or participation. These methods, as a whole,progress and for accountability. Therefore, in addition

have reinforced systemic oppression and perpetuatedto the information contained in this section, wepoor relationships. In particular, many non-Indigenous

encourage you to consult the full Data Strategy, as wellmethodologies for collecting and analyzing data haveas the reports of all National Action Plan Contributing

placed Indigenous Peoples and individuals within

Partners which may contain more detailed anda deficit lens, leading to even more stereotyping

distinctions-based information on their approaches toand harm. Indigenous people are reclaiming self-some of these questions.

determination in research through Indigenous Data
Sovereignty and various Indigenous-developed

Creating New Pathways for Data: The 2021 National

research tools such as the principles of Ownership,

Action Plan Data Strategy:

Control, Access, and Possession® (OCAP®), thehttps://mmiwg2splusnationalactionplan.ca/wp-

National Inuit Strategy on Research, and other tools

content/uploads/2021/06/The-2021-National-

and models.

Action-Plan-Data-Strategy_EN.pdf

With that understanding, this section describes work

Introduction and Commitment

underway on a National Action Plan Data Strategy

The Data Sub-Working Group was mandated tothat understands the history of this issue and that seesdevelop a Data Strategy for the National Action Plan.

the possibilities ahead. This Data Strategy is presented

To do so, it worked to gain more understanding ofas a preliminary step in understanding long-term

relevant data holdings, as well as the qualitative andprogress that must ultimately occur in partnership

quantitative data upon which the National Inquiry’swith Indigenous Peoples and include monitoring

Final Report was based; to identify data needs towithin a much broader lens. This work is still in earlysupport the development of the National Action Plan;

stages - it begins by looking at quantitative data, butand, to define data outcomes for the implementation

does not see quantitative data as all that is needed.

of the Plan.
100

During the course of its work, the Data Sub-Working

Data Strategy supports positive change toward theGroup heard numerous presentations from experts

achievement of the objectives of the Plan. It does thisand from other working groups, in order to buildin three primary ways, including:knowledge to make informed decisions.
Further, the Co-Chairs and individual members

 identifying existing data sources and the role they

liaised with the Core Working Group and othermay play in reporting and accountability, now andContributing Partners to ensure that there wasfor the futurealignment and support from the work of the Data Sub- designing a preliminary quantitative indicator

Working Group.

framework addressing current realities thatwill allow for monitoring progress in reducing

A Technical Data Sub-Working Group was struck asviolence against Indigenous women, girls, andpart of the process. This technical group assessed the2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as monitoring theviability of the initial quantitative indicators and beganeffectiveness of legislation, policy and programs

reviewing data availability and data gaps. The Dataintended to contribute to the objectives of the

Sub-Working Group has made progress on its mandate

National Action Plan; and,to this point in time, through the development of key

 identifying data gaps that, if addressed, mayelements of the National Action Plan Data Strategy

provide the full range of data necessary to

and a supporting Quantitative Indicator Frameworkassess progress in reducing violence andas a starting point in an evolving data strategy that

promoting justice.

will come to include qualitative data and research thatreflects the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Members of the Sub-Working Group have indicatedthe importance of the latter, noting that quantitative

Purpose and Objectives

data alone is not a sufficient basis for measuring
progress, and that development should include the

The National Action Plan Data Strategy is rooted

creation of relevant qualitative indicators, as well as

in, and will promote, Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

further research in relevant areas led by Indigenous

Affirming the right to reliable and accessible data is

researchers. Existing data tools in use by governments

essential to monitoring, accountability and supportingwith respect to Indigenous Peoples and realities are

the rights enshrined in First Nations, Inuit andlargely flawed and cannot be the only basis upon which

Métis data sovereignty, the National Action Plan

results are assessed.

Principles for Data and Overall Organization
The National Action Plan Data Strategy is organized by the Data Sub-Working Group throughprinciples adapted from those created by the National Family and Survivors’ Circle. Data SubWorking Group members were inspired by the way in which these principles, when applied todata, can help to guide the work ahead. The National Family and Survivors Circle’s principles
include: inclusion, impact, interconnectedness, and accountability.

101

In particular, the principle of inclusion applied toUnderstanding the Indicators

this Data Strategy means that it is a strategy for

An indicator is a specific, observable, and measurable

all Indigenous people, regardless of status, area ofcharacteristic that can be used to show changes orresidence or other elements of diversity. The National

progress that an action or program is making toward

Action Plan Data Strategy also respects the diversity

achieving an outcome. The Data Strategy namesof all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada,

general, versus specific indicators, understanding thatand other Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

the specificity of each one should be pursued withinregardless of where they may be, understanding

the context of engagement with different Indigenousthat indicators may be further refined in a way thatgroups or distinctions.

is most relevant for them. Inclusion for the ongoingdevelopment of the strategy will also be measured

Each general indicator within the Strategy is includedby the full and active involvement of families ofwithin one of the four thematic clusters: culture,

missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, andhealth and wellness, human security, and justice. These

2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivors of gender-based

thematic clusters are grounded in the respect forviolence in the process of creating transformative

Indigenous human rights that include inherent, Treaty,change to reclaim power and place as Indigenous

and Constitutional rights, and in the responsibilities

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people throughof all governments, institutions, and organizations, forsubstantive equality, equity, and dignity.

the work undertaken to address violence. Indicators
selected reflect a clear focus on prevention and

The ultimate outcome, centred in the National Action

identifying sources of strength, while addressing

Plan Data Strategy, is the safety of Indigenous women,

important gaps that serve to target Indigenous

girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Any evaluation of

women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

results of actions must be defined by how impacts arefelt on the ground by Indigenous women, girls, and2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families, and survivors.

102

Data Strategy at a Glance
Inclusion, as specific to data, means the full andInterconnectedness is central to Indigenous

active participation of all Indigenous people,

world views. As specific to data, it refers to theincluding non-Status, First Nation, Inuit, Métis

way in which the four thematic clusters in theand 2SLGBTQQIA+, regardless of where they

data strategy interrelate. It also relates the data

live. This means that data must be inclusive, butdevelopment, and the interconnectedness ofalso be applied as needed in distinctions-based

quantitative and qualitative data.

and disaggregated ways.
Safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+

Justice

CultureHuman Security

Health and Wellness

Impact, as it pertains to data, refers to creating

Accountability, as specific to data, is the shared

meaningful effect on policy, legislation andaccountability that collecting data leads to. It

society at large. The data strategy will monitor

means that once data is gathered, and progress is

impact through measurable progress toward thetracked, action can be taken. It also refers to theultimate outcome, safety for Indigenous women

important relationships that must animate theand girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

process for true and meaningful accountability.

The four thematic clusters – Culture, Health & Wellness, Human Security, and Justice- are from Reclaiming Power and Place.

103

The Quantitative Indicator Framework
The Quantitative Indicator Framework outlines quantitative indicators which fall under
the four thematic clusters: Culture, Health and Wellness, and Human Security and Justice.
These thematic clusters form the structure for the Framework, with the broadly definedquantitative indicators as the more fluid elements. The Quantitative Indicator Framework
will remain evergreen as indicators continue to be selected, refined, and enhanced inorder to best contribute to the measurement of the ultimate indicator of safety. They areinterrelated but grouped under a specific cluster for organizational purposes.

Quantitative Indicators

CultureHealth & wellness

Human security

Justice Access to traditional

 Self-rated health Employment rate Indigenous police Access to health Graduation ratefood
 Access to spirituality/
ceremony Connection to
culture for children,
youth, adults andseniors
 Sense of belonging/
identity Language retention
and revitalization
 Cultural mentorshipservices Access to education

 Perception of healthy

and training

relationships

 Access to broadband

 Distance to services

 Poverty

 Self-rated mental

 Transportationwellness Housing conditions

 Access to land

 Safe spaces/ shelters Access to traditional

 Emergency

medicines andinfrastructure

healers Other community
safety and social
supports
 Food insecurity
 Access to traditional
systems of protection
 Industries incommunities

104

forces or law
enforcement
connection tocommunity Training of justicepersonnel
 Indigenous justicepersonnel
 Case before courts/
arrests
 Confidence in thesystem Restorative justice/traditional justiceprograms
 Navigator programs
ie FILU
 2S and trans –specific issues, ie X
markers

Next StepsThe Data Sub-Working Group also continues to examine the best measurement
approach that centres relationships and ensures accountability. In doing so, it isinforming the development of the data needed for the strategy, including generalrecommendations pertaining to the need for development of qualitative data sources.

The Data Sub-Working Group also understands

This work to develop the National Action Plan Data

the urgency of developing a National Action Plan

Strategy is informed by the opportunity to recognize

Data Strategy that will move the Plan into action.

that sustainable First Nations, Métis and Inuit-led

Continuing work will centre the National Family anddata functions and systems are a prerequisite for

Survivors Circle as well as other key stakeholders.

strengthened accountability, evidence based decision-

While maturing these relationships, the Data Sub-making, and efficient and effective governance. The

Working Group will also confirm the specific core andIndigenous Data Sovereignty lens that is inclusive of allgroup-specific quantitative indicators, and develop

Indigenous worldviews and perspectives will continue

recommendations, to be included in the Quantitative

to define what is important to measure and to inform

Indicator Framework. It will also confirm the National

how this work advanced.

Action Plan Data Strategy with key stakeholders.
While the Technical Data Sub-Working GroupFirst Nations, Inuit, Métis Nation, and Indigenous

continues examining the viability of each quantitative

organizations and communities are best placed

indicator and data availability and development, theto hold broader conversations among themselves

Data Sub-Working Group recommends the need for

and with all governments about how the safety ofIndigenous-led data collection, in distinctions-based

Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

and identity-based terms, including development ofand progress are measured, and to ensure thatquantitative, qualitative, and Indigenous-led researchhigh quality, culturally-relevant, disaggregated andaccording to Indigenous research ethics, as an urgent

distinctions-based data are available. The National

priority to move forward and to support Indigenous

Action Plan Data Strategy centres relationships andData Sovereignty.

recognizes that sustainable First Nations, Inuit, Métisled data functions and systems are a prerequisite forstrengthened accountability, evidence-based decision
making, and efficient and effective Indigenous-led
governance and nation-building.
105

Conclusion
For decades, families, survivors and representative

Success of the National Action Plan will be measured

Indigenous organizations have been advocating forby how effectively it reaches Indigenous women,safety, security and equity for Indigenous women, girls,

girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families, and survivorsand 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Well before the Nationalof violence and helps achieve the vision of a Canada

Inquiry started, we worked to bring to the forefront

where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+

the necessity for transformative change. We did thispeople, wherever they are, live free from violence, andand continue to do so, in honour of survivors, forare celebrated, honoured, respected, valued, safe, andchildren and families who have lost their loved ones,

secure. As one family member wrote in the foreword

and for future generations. We recognize the strengthof the National Inquiry report:of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+
people, and will continue this crucial work.

The Government of Canada as a whole
has the responsibility of ensuring every
citizen is protected by the laws of theland; all people living in Canada have theresponsibility to live in peace and withrespect for basic human rights, including
safety and justice. It is time for justice,closure, accountability, equality and truereconciliation. It is time to END VIOLENCE
against Indigenous women, girls, and2SLGBTQQIA people. What do we want?
JUSTICE! When do we want it? NOW!

As we continue on this path it is important to stand intruth in the relationship with families and survivors,
including the National Family and Survivors Circle,
as guiding and informing the National Action Plan
and the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us”.
This principle recognizes that the voices and truths offamilies of missing and murdered Indigenous women,
girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivorsof violence led to the 231 Calls for Justice and 62
Calls for Miskotahâ. The principle places the lived
experience and leadership of families and survivors at
the centre of the development of the National Action(Vanish, by Gladys Radek)51

Plan and accountability structure for implementation.
Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,
families, and survivors are reclaiming power and placeand guiding transformative change to end all forms ofgender- and race-based violence.

106Appendix A: Acronyms
ACRONYM

DEFINITION

2SLGBTQQIA+ Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning,people:Intersex and Asexual Plus people

AFN:

Assembly of First Nations

CAP:

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

CYFA:

Children, Youth and Families Act

GBA Plus:

Gender-Based Analysis Plus

GN:

Government of Nunavut

GNL:

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

GNWT:

Government of the Northwest Territories

IGO:

Indigenous Governments and Organizations

HSIF:

Health Services Integration Fund

ITK:

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

LFMO:

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak

MKO:

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

MMIWG:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

MLA:

Members of the Legislative Assembly

NFSC

National Family and Survivors Circle

NIMMIWG

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

NL:

Newfoundland and Labrador

NSNWA:

Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association

NWT:

Northwest Territories

OCAP®:

Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession®

PEI:

Prince Edward Island

PTOs:

Provincial Territorial Organizations

SIRT:

Serious Incident Response TeamYAC:

Yukon Advisory Committee

107Appendix B: Key Terms
TERMS

DEFINITION

AgencyRefers to the capacity and rights of individuals to act independently and to make theirown free choices.

Anti-racism

Refers to strategies, theories, actions, and practices that challenge and counter
racism, inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination.

Co-development

Refers to when two or more parties work together to develop a product jointly.

Colonization

Refers to when one group takes control of the lands, resources, languages, cultures,and relationships of another group.

Co-management

Refers to a process that brings together governments and organizations to share
management responsibility.

Community

In the National Action Plan, the term “community” is utilized in the broadest sense,referring to Indigenous communities or groups with diverse characteristics who may
be linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and/or engage in joint action in
geographical locations or settings.

Culturally Informed

Refers to acknowledging, respecting, and integrating Indigenous cultural values,
beliefs, and practices.

Culturally Safe

Refers to recognizing and addressing power imbalances and inequities, enabling
services and processes that are holistic, spiritually, socially, and emotionally safe andallowing reclamation of power.

Decolonization

Refers to challenging colonial influences and dismantling and replacing structuresthat perpetuate the status quo using Indigenous perspectives.

GBA Plus

Refers to an analytical process used to assess how different women, men, and genderdiverse people may experience policies, programs, and initiatives. It includes otherintersecting characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental andphysical disability.

Gladue Principles

Refers to an approach to sentencing and bail hearings allows judges to consider
sentencing alternatives to incarceration when appropriate. These reports/principles
allow a judge to consider the colonial history of Indigenous people when theyencounter the criminal justice system. This initiative is aimed at reducing the numberof incarcerated Indigenous people.

Grassroots

Grassroots organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at
the local, regional, national, or international level.

Governments

Refers to federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous government.

108

TERMS

DEFINITION

Intergenerational

Refers to the transmission of historical and contemporary trauma from one

Traumageneration to the next.

MiskotahâRefers to the Michif word for change.

OCAP®

Refers to ownership of, control of, access to, and possession of research processes
affecting participant communities, and the resulting data. OCAP addresses issues ofprivacy, intellectual property, data custody and secondary use of data.52

RacismRefers to the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities
specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to anotherrace or races. Racism is typically directed at and against communities that areconsidered to be non-white.

Residential Schools

Refers to government-sponsored religious schools that were established to assimilate
Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture.

Self-Determination

Refers to a state having the right to choose freely its political, economic, social, andcultural systems and is defined as the right of a people to constitute itself in a state orotherwise freely determine the form of its association with an existing state.53

Shelters

Refers to emergency shelter projects that may contain hostel style living units whereoccupants can stay for only a short period of time, usually one to three weeks.

Strength-based

Refers to an approach, where the focus is on self-determination, and the individual
identifies value and assembles strengths, capacities, and the free will to decide in thecourse of action.

Substantive Equality

Refers to taking special measures to achieve true equality in order to address
historical disadvantages, intergenerational trauma, and discrimination.

Systemic

Refers to patterns of behaviour, policies or practices that are part of the structures

Discrimination/Racism of governments and institutions, and which create or perpetuate disadvantage for
racialized persons.
Transition Housing

Transitional housing is interchangeable with second stage housing and is an extended
term, interim housing project for those leaving emergency shelters, providing
accommodation generally for a period of about one year.

Truth Gathering

Refers to a combination of witness testimony from family members and survivors,

Process

knowledge keepers, experts and institutional witnesses, independent research, andsubpoenaed evidence.

Wraparound Services

Refers to an integrated system of care that provides individualized, coordinated,person or family-driven care that will meet the complex needs of children andtheir families.

109

Endnotes
1 Unless otherwise noted, all terms and definitions are taken fromMMIWG Final Report, https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf).

14 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
15 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.

2 Métis Nation Council (2021). About. Available at: https://www2.
metisnation.ca/about/ . Retrieved 2021 05 19.

16 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.

3 Métis National Council (2021). Citizenship. Available at: https://www2.metisnation.ca/about/citizenship/ . Retrieved 2021 05 19.

17 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls (2019). A legal analysis of Genocide. Supplementary
Report. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2019/06/Supplementary-Report_Genocide.pdf.

4 Throughout this National Action Plan, the term “community” isutilized in the broadest sense, referring to Indigenous communities
or groups with diverse characteristics who may be linked by social
ties, share common perspectives, and/or engage in joint action in
geographical locations or settings.

18 Stefanovich, O. (2019). UN Human Rights Office calls for
examination of MMIWG inquiry’s genocide claim. Available at:https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-un-national-inquirygenocide-response-1.5174855.

5 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: Executive summary of
the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous womenand girls. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2019/06/Executive_Summary.pdf.

19 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: Executive summary.
20 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 2: A
supplementary report of the national inquiry into missing andmurdered Indigenous women and girls – Kepek – Quebec. Available
at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/
Final_Report_Vol_2_Quebec_Report-1.pdf.

6 LFMO (2019). Métis perspectives of missing and murdered
Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S+ people. Available at:https://en2.metiswomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/LFMOMMIWG-Report.pdf.
7 JUS (2019). Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justicesystem. Just Facts. Research and Statistics Division. Available at:https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/jf-pf/2019/docs/may01.pdf.

21 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). A legal analysis of genocide.

8 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: The final report of
the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous womenand girls. Volume 1a. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf.

22 LFMO (2019). Métis perspectives.
23 PMO (2019). Prime Minister welcomes final report from the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Available at: pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2019/06/03/primeminister-welcomes-final-report-national-inquiry-missing-and.

9 NWAC (2020). The Native Women’s Association fact sheet:
Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA
people in Canada. Available at: https://www.nwac.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2021/03/MMIWG-and-Violence-Fact-SheetFormatted-2021.pdf.

24 Government of British Columbia (2019). Premier’s statement
on national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous
women and girls final report. Available at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/
releases/2019PREM0080-001132.
25 ITK (2019). Resolution B19-06-02. ITK Board of Directors,
June 27th. Available at: https://www.itk.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2020/06/B19-06-02-ITKBoD-MMIWG.pdf.

10 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
11 Cotter, A. (2018). Violent victimization of women with disabilities,
2014. Juristat, Catalogue no. 85-002-X, ISSN 1209-6393.
Available at: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85002-x/2018001/article/54910-eng.pdf?st=qDgD1TnY.

26 Pauktuutit (2019). Pauktuutit Inuit Women of CanadaNews release.
27 Henry (2019). MMIWG report a step in the right direction say localgroups. Available at: https://www.lakelandtoday.ca/bonnyvillenews/mmiwg-report-a-step-in-the-right-direction-say-localgroups-1911201.

12 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
13 For example, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the
Sisters in Spirit campaign.

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28 AFN (2019). Resolution 67/2019. AFN General Assembly, June 2325, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Available at: https://www.afn.ca/
wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-AGA-Resolutions.pdf.

41 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womenand Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: The final report of
the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous womenand girls. Summary of the Calls for Justice, at page 2. Available at:https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CallsWeb-Version-EN.docx

29 CAP (2019). Press statement on final report from the National
Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls. Available at: http://www.abo-peoples.org/wp-content/
uploads/2019/06/June-3-Press-Statement.pdf.

42 Ibid, at pages 2-3.

30 Narine, S. (2019). Chiefs push for federal government response
to MMIWG inquiry report. Available at: https://windspeaker.com/
news/windspeaker-news/chiefs-push-federal-government-responsemmiwg-inquiry-report.

43 See Statistics Canada, “Aboriginal peoples in Canada: Key resultsfrom the 2016 Census”, (Published in The Daily. Catalogue No
11-001-X, 2017) Online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/dailyquotidien/171025/dq171025a-eng.htm.

31 CTV Winnipeg (2019). Manitoba leaders react to the MMIWG
inquiry’s final report. Available at: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.
ca/manitoba-leaders-react-to-the-mmiwg-inquiry-s-finalreport-1.4449656.

44 See Daniels v Canada (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development), 2014 FCA 101 at para 70, 371 DLR (4th) 725[Daniels FCA].
45 Canada, “A Backgrounder on Poverty in Canada” (October 2016)at p 9-14. <online: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-socialdevelopment/programs/poverty-reduction/backgrounder.html>;
Canada, Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division, Aboriginal
Children’s Survey, 2006: Supporting Data Tables (Ottawa: Statistics
Canada, 2006) at 137 <online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/
pub/89-634-x/89-634-x2008005-eng.pdf>.

32 The term “wherever they are” is meant to be inclusive of whereverIndigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people may live,
reside, or may be.
33 Contributing Partners is used throughout the National Action
Plan and includes the First Nations Sub-Working Group, the Inuit
Working Group, the Métis Nation Sub-Working Group, the SubWorking Group of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Urban
Sub-Working Group, the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group, theData Sub-Working Group, and the Federal Sub-Working Group.

46 Native Women’s Association of Canada. Fact Sheet: Missing and
Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls at https://www.nwac.ca/
wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Fact_Sheet_Missing_and_Murdered_
Aboriginal_Women_and_Girls.pdf.

34 The term “wherever they are” is meant to be inclusive of whereverIndigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people may live,
reside, or may be.

47 CAP’s provincial and territorial affiliate organizations include:
NunatuKavut Community Council, Native Council of Prince
Edward Island, New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council,
Alliance Autochtone du Quebec, Native Council of Nova Scotia,
Ontario Coalition of Indigenous People, Association of Métis, Non
and Status Indians Saskatchewan, Indigenous Peoples Alliance ofManitoba, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association, North West
Indigenous Council.

35 United Nations General Assembly (2007). United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Resolution/
adopted by the General Assembly, 2 October 2007, A/RES/61/295.
Available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/471355a82.html.
36 The United Nations (1988). Convention on the Eliminationof All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Treaty Series,
1249, 13. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/
ProfessionalInterest/cedaw.pdf.

48 Although Québec did not endorse the Declaration for a Canada Freeof Gender-Based Violence, it supports its general principles and willcontinue to be active in the fight against gender-based violence byprioritizing its own actions and measures. It also intends to continue
to share information and best practices with other governments on
this issue.

37 United Nations Commission on Human Rights (1990). Convention
on the Rights of the Child. Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/
documents/professionalinterest/crc.pdf.
38 Note: the Constitution also uses the term Aboriginal.

49 https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/conseilexecutif/publications-dm/saa/administratives/plan_action/fr/planaction-social.pdf?1605704439.

39 United Nations General Assembly (2007). United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
40 “Basic rights” as identified in the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples - United Nations General Assembly(2007).

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50 WAGE (2019). Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls:
initiatives will rally communities across Canada to commemorate,
heal and advance reconciliation. Available at: https://www.newswire.
ca/news-releases/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-womenand-girls-initiatives-will-rally-communities-across-canada-tocommemorate-heal-and-advance-reconciliation-864726679.html.
51 National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women andGirls (2019). Volume 1a
52 CIHR, NSERC & SSHRC (2018). Tri-Council policy statement:
Ethical conduct for research involving humans. Available at: https://ethics.gc.ca/eng/documents/tcps2-2018-en-interactive-final.pdf.
53 Encyclopedia Britannica (2021). Available at: https://www.
britannica.com/topic/self-determination.

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