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Our Children Our Way Society Honours National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

For Immediate Release: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Territory

December 6th marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a solemn day to honor the 14 young women who tragically lost their lives in the 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique de Montréal in Quebec.

Today we hold in our hearts all the women we have lost to gender-based violence. We also acknowledge that the fight to end gender-based violence is far from over and we reaffirm our commitment to ending violence— an issue that often carries a disproportionate impact within our Indigenous communities.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and its Calls for Justice have shed light on the deep inequities and persistent inaction that have left countless Indigenous women and girls vulnerable to violence. The legacies of colonialism, racism, and sexism contribute to the ongoing epidemic of gender-based violence.

The Our Children Our Way Society calls for immediate and sustained efforts to protect, support, and empower Indigenous peoples. It is our collective responsibility to make meaningful progress in that regard, and to focus on three key areas: prevention, support, and accountability:

  • Prevention: Funding and support for prevention initiatives led by Indigenous communities to tackle violence at its roots.
  • Support: Providing support for survivors of violence, with a focus on healing, empowerment, and restoration
  • Accountability: It is imperative that we hold all individuals, institutions, and systems accountable for the violence perpetrated against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The principle of reciprocal accountability calls on all of us to work together in solidarity.

Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), in their ongoing efforts to respond to the Calls for Justice and to shift narratives around the crisis, have launched “Stories of Hope & Strength“. These stories “showcase the resilience, courage, and unbreakable hope within Indigenous communities across Canada, in response to the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry.”

Well-being Supports

  • KUU-US Crisis Line (1-800-588-8717) is available to support Indigenous people in B.C., 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • The Métis Crisis Line (1-833-638-4722) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Youth in BC (https://youthinbc.com) Online Chat is available from noon to 1 a.m. in B.C. Mental Health Support Line (310-6789 – no area code) will connect you to your local B.C. crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are there to listen and support you as well as refer you to community resources.
  • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line (1-844-413-6649) is available to individuals impacted by missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families

Resources:

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For further comment, please contact:
Mary Teegee, Maaxswxw Gibuu
Chair, Our Children Our Way Society
Tel: 250-612-8710

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