SCO Reiterates Calls for Action on the Fifth Anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+

June 3, 2024

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is issuing this statement on the fifth anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), which includes 231 Calls for Justice.

“It has now been five years since the release of Reclaiming Power and Place. It’s a vital and transformative document that shows a pathway for society to address the national emergency of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “We cannot delay implementation any further, and I call on all levels of government to work with us on an urgent basis to address the ongoing violence perpetuated against our relations.”

The obvious need for action has been exacerbated this year, with the ongoing Winnipeg trial of an admitted serial killer in the deaths of four First Nations women. SCO grieves the loss and honours the memory of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, and Marcedes Myran, along with the as-yet-unidentified woman given the name Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by community leaders.

“I stand with the families of these lost sisters and my heart goes out to all who have lost a loved one to gender based violence,” added Grand Chief Daniels. “I also want them to know that SCO will not rest when it comes to raising awareness and drawing attention to this ongoing national emergency.”

In 2019, the National Inquiry into MMIWG concluded the violence perpetuated against Indigenous women in Canada amounted to genocide. In 2021, a National Action Plan was released, and in January of 2023 the federal government hosted a National Roundtable, followed by a second National Roundtable earlier this year, which brought together provincial and territorial leaders as well as Indigenous leadership, to focus on the issue.

A recent comprehensive review of progress on the Calls for Justice by CBC determined that only two of 231 Calls for Justice are complete, and more than 50 per cent have not yet been started.

Late last week, the Call for Justice 1.7 Final Report was released by Canada. Engagements and validations with family members, Survivors, and more than 600 people representing more than 125 organizations and governments compel the need for the creation of a new Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson and office, as a much needed Indigenous-specific accountability mechanism for Canada.

“Progress continues to move at a snail’s pace in terms of implementing the 231 Calls for Justice,” shared Grand Chief Daniels. “We are grateful for the House of Commons voting unanimously in favour of declaring MMIWG2S+ a nation-wide emergency and agreeing to invest in a Red Dress Alert System to make the public aware when an Indigenous woman, girl, two spirit, or gender-diverse person goes missing. However, this now needs to be implemented immediately.”

SCO is a founding member of Giganawenimaanaanig (the Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee), a coalition of Indigenous leaders and organizations that have come together to advocate and implement the Calls for Justice.

“I am proud to state that SCO has been a partner of the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee since its inception,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “We now need our partners to step up and finally implement the changes that are so desperately needed. Lives depend on it!”

If anyone requires immediate emotional support, please call the national, independent toll free 24/7 support line 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. This service is available in English, Anishnaabemowin, Cree, and French.

SCO has free booklets available for anyone who would like to read the 231 Calls for Justice, as well as Red Dress pin beading kits. These booklets and kits are available for pick up at our office at 1572 Dublin Avenue from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. (Please note our office closes for lunch from 12 to 1 pm.) SCO also has a list of resources available for anyone who is looking to more about the national emergency of MMIWG2S+.

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

On-Reserve Head Office
Swan Lake First Nation
195-300 Alpine Way
Headingley, Manitoba R4H 0E1

Winnipeg Sub-Offices
1572 Dublin Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0L4

202-600 Empress Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0R5

Brandon Sub-Office
2B 136-11th Street
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4J4
For media inquiries,
please email media@scoinc.mb.ca.
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