We, the undersigned organizations working to advance human rights and equity in Canada and around the world, recognize our responsibility to extend our solidarity to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people seeking justice for MMIWG2S and peace for the families of four murdered women.  

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls concluded that the horrifically high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI people are one of the ways in which genocide is manifested in Canada. We operate within a settler-colonial framework of laws, land, and institutions, and we recognize that all work related to human rights in Canada takes place against the background of ongoing genocide of Indigenous people. 

Camp Morgan, a sacred camp, was built to honour four Indigenous women who were murdered in Winnipeg. The remains of Rebecca Contois, O Chi Chak Ko Sipi First Nation, were found in the Brady Road landfill in May of 2022. The recent blockade of Brady Road came after the Government of Manitoba’s announcement that they would not fund the search for the remains of two women of Long Plain First Nation, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, which are believed to be in the Prairie Green landfill, also near Winnipeg. The remains of a fourth woman, whose identity is unknown and who is known as Mashkode Bizhi’ikwe or Buffalo Woman, have not yet been found. A second camp is to be built outside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The protestors have said that they are there to demand justice for all missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people. 

It is simply not tolerable for human remains to be left buried in a landfill. The value of these women’s lives and their dignity after suffering tragic and violent deaths cannot be measured in dollars. Respect for the women whose remains are likely in the Prairie Green landfill, for their families and communities, for the principles of truth and reconciliation, and for all Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI people requires a search of the Prairie Green landfill. The government must stop its actions to quash the protests and take actions to bring peace and justice for the women, their families, and their communities.  

We join First Nations leaders in calling on the governments of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Canada to honour the demands of Indigenous Peoples protesting for justice in Winnipeg, and the Calls for Justice by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. These governments have an opportunity now to put the rhetoric of justice for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI people into action. Their failure to do so is shameful. We stand in solidarity with the protestors in mourning the tragic losses of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI people and in demanding systemic action to protect their lives.

Signatories

  • Acadie Love
  • Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
  • Burnaby Pride
  • Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity
  • Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC)
  • ConneQT NB
  • Creating Hope Society
  • CUPE Manitoba
  • DAWN Canada
  • Disability Alliance BC
  • Diversity Ed. – Safer Spaces Canada
  • Egale Canada
  • Fernie Pride Society
  • Fierté Canada Pride
  • Fierté Fredericton Pride
  • Fierté Montréal
  • Fierté Timmins Pride
  • Fierté Val-d’Or
  • Indigenous Disability Canada / British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (IDC/BCANDS)
  • Kincardine Pride Inc.
  • Muskoka Pride
  • NG Pride (North Grenville, ON)
  • PEERS Alliance
  • PEI Transgender Network
  • pflag Canada
  • Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre
  • Pride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail Canada
  • Pride Calgary Planning Committee
  • Pride Winnipeg
  • Pride YMM
  • Prince Albert Pride
  • Quadrangle NL
  • Queer Yukon Society
  • Rainbow Pride Centre
  • Rainbow Resource Centre
  • Rainbow Veterans of Canada
  • Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. (RaY)
  • Rossbrook House
  • Saskatchewan Pride Network & Humboldt and Area Pride Network
  • Sexual Health Nova Scotia
  • Southern Alberta Pop Up Parks
  • Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space
  • Start Proud – Fier Départ
  • Stratford-Perth Pride
  • Sunshine House Incorporated
  • Surrey Pride Society
  • The Enchanté Network
  • The Get REAL Movement
  • The Pride Centre of Edmonton
  • Thunder Pride Association
  • Trans Legal Collective
  • Windsor-Essex Pride Fest
  • Wisdom2Action
  • Women’s Shelters Canada