Project seeks to aid in ending genocide of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples
May 2, 2025 (Unceded Anishinabe Territory | Ottawa) – Media are invited to the official announcement of a collaborative, Indigenous-led data collection project focused on Missing and Murdered First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples. Seeking to strengthen advocacy and advance the 231 Calls for Justice identified by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the project will drive social and policy change.
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, the Ontario Native Women’s Association and 2 Spirits in Motion Society will share in a collaborative effort to engage with governments and Indigenous communities — addressing systemic factors disproportionately impacting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples.
Partners will work alongside trusted data and research organizations CDCI and Wampum Records — who previously worked together to build the online data repository for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
This project is intended to bring in additional Indigenous-led organizations that can assist in data collection on Missing and Murdered First Nations, Métis and Inuit Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender-diverse Peoples, which will be used to raise awareness and lead to the creation of a national database — strengthening advocacy, driving social progress and changing policy
Announcement Details
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025; 09:00 — 09:30 a.m. EDT
Location: Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, Room 135-B (Salle 135-B), West Block (Édifi ce de l’ouest), National Press Building, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Speakers: Pauktuutit President and CEO Nikki Komaksiutiksak; Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak Director of MMIWG2S Initiatives Kristen Gilchrist (she/they); and 2 Spirits in Motion Society National Research Coordinator Imriel Bissnette (xe/they/nekm)
Participation in the question and answer portion of this event is in person or via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.
Seuls les membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent participer à la période de questions et réponses, qui aura lieu sur place et via Zoom. Les médias qui ne sont pas membres de la tribune parlementaire peuvent communiquer avec pressres2@parl.gc.ca pour obtenir l’accès temporaire.
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Media Contact: Jill McKenzie
Director of Strategy and Media Relations
pipikwan pêhtâkwan
jill@pipikwanpehtakwan.com
About Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada:
Pauktuutit is the national non-profi t organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development.
About Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak:
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LMFO) is the recognized National voice of Métis women from across the Métis Motherland informed by the expressed priorities of grassroots Métis women.
About Ontario Native Women’s Association:
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a not for profi t organization to empower and support all Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario through research, advocacy, policy development and programs that focus on local, regional and provincial activities.
About 2 Spirits in Motion Society:
The 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) is a registered national non-profi t society that seeks to create, maintain, and strengthen a safe and supportive environment for 2 Spirit people to express themselves through cultural ways of knowing and being around gender and sexuality; and to succeed and be empowered in all areas that are grounded in the medicines that 2 Spirit people carry.