Summit marks Red Dress Day
Advocates gather at the Urban Indigenous Action Group National Summit for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+). Courtesy Melanie Morrison
The Urban Indigenous Action Group National Summit for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) provided a space for advocates, survivors, family members, and government representatives to come together to forge a path forward for change this week in Ottawa, an opportunity that left Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Melanie Morrison hopeful about steps forward in the fight for justice.
Morrison was joined by other representatives from Quebec at the meeting in Ottawa, including Marjolaine Etienne, president of Quebec Native Women (QNW) and Na’kuset, the executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.
Being able to share the diverse experiences of communities across Turtle Island, including in on-reserve and off-reserve spaces, is essential in battling the crisis of MMIWG2S+, Morrison said.
“It’s really important because we need to know that we’re not doubling up efforts, we need to be doing things together, and sharing information will help other people deadline with the same issues in their areas,” Morrison said. “There’s different laws and policies in different regions, so by having these larger summits where people can share their experiences, we can give each other feedback, share what worked for us, and see who can incorporate that into the work they’re doing in their province.”
The gathering, the third of its kind, was held from May 4-6, coinciding with the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+, also known as Red Dress Day, which is held annually on May 5.
Morrison said that of particular note was the focus on funding, with panel discussions highlighting the issues that smaller groups face in accessing the financial resources to continue their work.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney also announced on May 5 that the federal government would provide the National Family and Survivors Circle (NFSC) with $2.6 million over three years to continue their work advancing their National Action Plan, which aims to forward work to meet the national Calls for Justice which were outlined after the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+.
While Morrison said it was encouraging to hear Carney’s announcement - she also met with the prime minister to hand over a Sacred Bundle with members of the NFSC on Tuesday - conversations at the summit made it clear that smaller organizations and projects must also have access to funding opportunities.
“It can be really hard to apply for funding, and that makes it harder for the smaller organizations that don’t have someone to apply for grants on hand. They need to outsource it, but they might not be able to afford that cost, that can be really expensive,” she said.
The event also featured an address from Mary Simon, who is Inuk and has been governor general of Canada since 2021. However, Louise Arbour was announced as Simon’s replacement on Tuesday, marking the end of Simon’s five-year term.
“We need sustained commitment from all levels of government, across health, justice, and education systems, and from people across Canada to fully carry out the National Action Plan and the Calls for Justice,” Simon told attendees during an address at the summit. “Please continue to lead with courage, and to turn remembrance into action.”
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Morrison said the event also provided a sense of togetherness for participants, with wellness events taking place throughout the summit, including a workshop where she made a Red Dress pin from sealskin, meditation sessions, throat singing performances, and powwow dancing.
“It was all really beautiful, it all lifted our spirits,” Morrison said.
