July 14, 2023 – Inuit women, girls and gender-diverse people experience gendered violence as a direct result of intergenerational traumas caused by the harmful and enduring impacts of colonial policies and efforts to remove our cultural values, principles and standing in Canada’s history.
At a national scale, Indigenous women, families and communities continue to face deep impacts of gendered violence that are compounded by systemic gaps that withhold the tools, resources, and supports needed to help break cycles of violence.
“The refusal by Manitoba’s government to participate and support the search for Indigenous women’s remains wholly dismisses and perpetuates violence against Indigenous women, girls, and families at a time when action on MMIWG is required at all levels of government to break intergenerational cycles of violence and address the systemic challenges known to increase the likelihood of violence,” states President Sharpe. “We hope and expect the authorities to try and recover any human remains wherever they may be.”
All levels of government must respect and uphold the equitable rights of Inuit women and girls’ safety, security, health and mental well-being wherever they live. By ensuring equitable rights for Indigenous women along with required resources we can end the tragedy of violence against Inuit women, girls and gender-diverse people. Providing essential support in times of crisis is just as important as delivering trauma-informed, early intervention and prevention.
All governments must work to uphold their respective responsibilities to help end gendered violence.
With the support of steadfast allies, Pauktuutit and our sister organizations continue to advocate and carry on the urgent work of instituting real change to end the MMIWG crisis across Canada.
Only when we as Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people are able to fully exercise and enjoy our human rights — including our right to safety — will lasting reconciliation be accomplished.
We deserve more.
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