Today we remember the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls whose lives have been tragically cut short by violence.

To honour their memories, the MGEU has hung red dresses in the windows of our offices at the Union Centre in Winnipeg.

Due to COVID-19 many of the vigils held at this time of year may not be happening so we’re also encouraging members to join the Sisters in Spirit Virtual Vigil, organized by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), which will be livestreamed at 1 pm CST from their Facebook page.

Other ways to show your support

Along with attending the virtual vigil, Canadians can also show their support by:

  • Lighting a candle and placing it on a window sill on October 4
  • Supporting the Amnesty International letter campaign calling for a National Action Plan on MMIWG2S 
  • Adding a Facebook frame for Sisters in Spirit
  • Downloading NWAC’s heart images red or white and writing a message of strength, hope and memorial to honour and celebrate Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people.  Share the heart on social media with the hashtags #SISVigils #MMIWG2S. Tag NWAC on Twitter at @NWAC_CA and Facebook at Native Women’s Association of Canada.

National Action Plan to prevent and address the violence

In June 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report. The report contained 231 Calls for Justice.  The federal government committed to developing a National Action Plan to prevent and address violence against women and girls who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Two-Spirit by June 2020. This commitment was not met, with the government blaming the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the September 23, 2020, throne speech, the government promised to accelerate the work on a national action plan.

NUPGE encourages members and Canadians to demand action

The MGEU’s National Union (NUPGE) and its Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues has worked for nearly 2 decades to highlight the national tragedy of the hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls that has occurred over the decades. It is once again encouraging its members and all Canadians to attend the Sisters in Spirit Vigils and honour these women and girls and to demand action to end this tragedy.