The Commission wishes to acknowledge how important it is to families and communities to have a monument dedicated to Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing, been murdered, or who have otherwise been victims of violence.
It is important for families to know their mothers, sisters, daughters, and nieces, have not been forgotten. It is important for northerners to speak up against gender-based violence. The monument unveiled in Yellowknife today outside of the Territories’ Legislative Assembly should be a reminder that many women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ members of our communities are still missing.
Indigenous women and girls face higher rates of violence than any others. The number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlights an international human rights crisis of gender-based and racialized violence. This is kept going because of indifference to the humanity of Indigenous women and too often inadequate responses from law enforcement. A monument that raises awareness is an important step toward bringing about change but we need everyone to do the work to reduce gender-based violence. Speak out against violence. Speak out against silence.
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