Honouring and Remembering MMIWG2S+

May 5^th is the National Day of Awareness and Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+, also known as “Red Dress Day.”  

A few statistics regarding MMIWG2S+ according to the Assembly of First Nations:

• Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence.
• Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, and 11% of missing women, yet Indigenous people make up only 4.3% of the population of Canada.
• Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience violence from their current or former partner.
• A little more than 13% of Indigenous people experience violence from their current or ex-partner, a proportion twice as high as non-Indigenous people (5.7%).
• Indigenous women are more likely to experience physical and sexual assault than non-Indigenous women.
• 56% of Indigenous women have suffered physical assault, and 46% have experienced sexual assault. By comparison, about one-third of non-Indigenous women have suffered these assaults in their lifetimes.
• From 2001 to 2014, the average rate of homicides involving Indigenous female victims was four times that of those involving non-Indigenous female victims.
• In the territories, this over-representation of Indigenous women among homicide victims was even higher.

On May 5^th, an event was held at the Listuguj Community Centre (Bingo Hall) hosted by the community’s women’s shelter, Haven House. The event was emceed by Haven House Manager, Sheila Swasson, who thanked the community for the continuous support for this event every year. She spoke about the importance of MMIWG2S+ and said, “Far too long, the violence of Indigenous women and two spirit people face, have been overlooked.”  An opening prayer was then done by Blanche Martin.

The first guest speaker was Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Specialist, Kali Barnaby with Victim Services at the Listuguj Police Department. Barnaby spoke about trusting your gut, and how maintaining good mental health and physical health is important when it comes to situational awareness. Always having proactive measures and safety plans in place is essential for ensuring security and well-being, this includes being aware of your transportation options, updating emergency contacts and being vocal about your whereabouts with your support system.

The next guest speaker was Chléo Pelletier, a Consultant at Quebec Native Women. Pelletier spoke about the organizations Mapping Project for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirits in Quebec. The Mapping Project works in collaboration with Quebec Native Women, the Université du Québec en Outaouais, the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, and an advisory committee in the province. The objectives are to release new public data, create a commemorative map, and bring light to families’ stories and experiences.  An online interactive map is set to be completed in 2026, that will help trace and give a voice to those effected by the MMIWG2S+ crisis.

The final guest speaker was Holly Miller, a Licensed Counselling Therapist-Candidate at Restigouche Family Services. Restigouche Family Services is an organization in Atholville, NB which offers a variety of services, such as therapy, counselling, speech therapy, addiction treatment and much more.  The organization recently introduced a program called Sacred Bundles, which is being led by Holly Miller and Sara Mitchell. Sacred Bundles is an Indigenous led mental health initiative, that takes a more cultural approach when it comes to counselling. Restigouche Family Services will be offering their counselling services under the Sacred Bundles initiative, in the community of Listuguj in the upcoming months.

Although May 5^th is the designated day for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirits, it’s important to spread awareness on this crisis every day.  Thousands of women, girls and two-spirit people have gone missing or been murdered in Canada and many of these cases have never been solved. It is important to honour and remember the victims, and their families.

To get in touch with Listuguj’s Women’s Shelter, Haven House, you can contact the 24 hour crisis line: 418-788-5544, or find them on Facebook.

For more information on Victim Services in Listuguj, contact Kali Barnaby at 418-320-9224 or kali.barnaby@listuguj.ca

For information on Restigouche Family Services, or their Sacred Bundle program, call 506-753-4161, or info@sfr-rfs.ca

By Ann Marie Jacques