Backgrounder: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Government of Canada announces support of commemoration initiatives in Nunavik 

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The Government of Canada is committed to addressing the systemic causes of violence and increasing the safety of Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.

In 2016, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #41, the Government of Canada’s launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in order to end the violence faced by Indigenous women and girls.

Between September 2016 to December 2018, the National Inquiry conducted and in-depth study and analysis on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, including LGBTQ and two-spirit people, by collecting information from community and institutional hearings, reviewing past and current research, and conducting forensic analyses of police records. The Inquiry also gathered evidence from over 1,400 witnesses, including survivors of violence, the families of victims, and subject-matter experts and Knowledge Keepers.

On November 1, 2017, the National Inquiry issued its Interim Report. The Government of Canada has taken a family-first approach to addressing the recommendations contained therein, recognizing the significant strength and courage of the family members of murdered or missing Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and two-spirit people who contributed to the Inquiry. This included an allocation of $50 million in funding to:

• provide health and support services to survivors and families of missing and murdered women and girls, including LGBTQ and two-spirit people;
• support a national oversight body at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
• support a review of police policies and practices; and,
• commemorate the lives and legacies of Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.

The Path Forward

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls presented its Final Report to families, survivors, Indigenous leaders, as well as federal, provincial and territorial governments at a closing ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec, on June 3, 2019. At this event, the Prime Minister welcomed the release of the Final Report and highlighted the Government of Canada’s commitment to addressing this issue.

The Government of Canada is committed to ending the disappearances and deaths of Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people, and to helping prevent and eliminate violence against them in future generations. It is an integral part of the Government’s commitment to reconciliation.

The Inquiry’s Final Report is far-reaching and deals with many underlying systemic issues. Its recommendations, directed towards multiple levels of government and various stakeholders, is helping identify the Government of Canada’s next steps in preventing the systemic violence that led and continues to lead to this tragedy.

Concrete actions are already being implemented to address some issues highlighted in the Final Report, such as:

• Eliminating Gender Discrimination in the Indian Act;
• Enacting legislation respecting Indigenous languages;
• Enacting legislation reforming the child and family services system; and,
• Investing in education, housing, Family Information Liaison Units and community-based supports, commemoration initiatives.

We know there is more to do. The Government of Canada is focusing current efforts to co-develop a National Action Plan with Indigenous, provincial, and territorial partners to address the ongoing violence towards Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people, as well as to recognize and honour the lives and legacies of those who are missing or have been murdered. We are also working to support the healing of families, survivors, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commemoration Fund

The National Inquiry reminds us that commemoration is an essential part of truth gathering, healing, and reconciliation.

The Government of Canada created the Commemoration Fund to address recommendations and calls for early action from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls interim report. The Fund invests over $13 million over two years to over 100 projects to help honour the lives and legacies of missing Indigenous women and girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.

In February 2019, Minister Monsef issued a Call for Proposals through Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program, soliciting Indigenous governments and organizations working with families, survivors, and communities to develop and implement commemoration initiatives for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people. Women and Gender Equality Canada has a longstanding relationship with Indigenous women’s organizations, particularly addressing the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls, both through funding opportunities and ongoing dialogue.

After the call closed on March 28, 2019, the Department engaged Indigenous external review committees, composed of affected individuals, including family members, community representatives, Indigenous artists and grassroots advocates, to review and recommend proposals for funding. Over 100 projects have been approved.

Commemoration includes honouring, educating, and remembering, missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people, and acknowledging the broad and systemic causes of this violence. It is an important part of the healing journey for families and survivors, public education and awareness, and bringing communities together as part of the reconciliation process. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Holding events that contribute to healing by acknowledging those who were murdered or went missing, and bringing people together to share and support one another.
• Creating items that leave a legacy or educate people about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.
• Coordinating and supporting commemoration initiatives.
• Developing and implementing region-wide or nation-wide commemoration initiatives.

Puvirnituq and Inukjuak, Québec (Nunavik) Project

Today’s announcement profiled Inuulitsivik Health Centre, which was selected for federal funding through the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commemoration Fund.         

Project title: On the Land Workshops-Commemoration Event and the Commission of a Commemoration Sculpture
Funding amount: $100,000

Through this project, the Inuulitsivik Health Centre will honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S individuals and increase awareness about this ongoing national tragedy. Project activities will include one workshop on the land in the communities of Puvirnituq and Inukjuak, as well as the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture.

The Inuulitsivik Health Centre contributes to the improvement of the overall health, well-being, and living conditions of communities through accessible, integrated and quality services. These services promote the empowerment of individuals towards their overall health in its many aspects, respecting individual and collective values (cultural and traditional) of each community.