Latest news with #MMIWG
CBC
18-07-2025
- CBC
Implement countrywide Red Dress Alert to prevent need for landfill searches for women: MMIWG advocate
As one landfill search ends and another is planned to begin, an MMIWG advocate says countrywide implementation of the Red Dress Alert and addressing "systemic racism" could prevent the agony of such searches ever needing to happen again. "We know when someone is missing, time is of an essence to locate them and to find them safely," said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, a member of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in Manitoba and chair of the National Family and Survivors Circle. Manitoba is in the process of launching the Red Dress Alert pilot project, which will provide a notification to people's mobile phones when an Indigenous woman, girl, two-spirit or gender diverse person goes missing — similar to how an Amber Alert works. "They should be looking at the next phase to, alongside the federal government, fully implement the [alert] … and adequately resource it to ensure that it's long-term and sustainable," Anderson-Pyrz said. "We'll be fighting for those resources, because what the Red Dress Alert means in this country is very powerful for Indigenous women, girls and children." But even that's just the beginning of what needs to be done, said Anderson-Pyrz, who became immersed in the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls when the body of her sister, Dawn Anderson, was found in November 2011 outside her home in the northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids. Many people who go missing do so because of systems "that continue to deliver services and supports under colonial policies," Anderson-Pyrz said. It took two years of advocacy by families before a search for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran in the privately owned Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, started in December 2024. Partial remains were discovered in February, and workers remained at the site in an effort to find more, before the search wrapped up on July 9. Anderson-Pyrz said it shouldn't have taken so long or required so much effort to make a search finally happen. "If we hold these systems to account, we wouldn't be having to fight on the front lines, families wouldn't have to be advocating on the front lines for the dignity of their loved ones, to bring them home, to honour them in ceremony," she said. "We need to look at the systemic racism within policing, [because] this is where it's ultimately stemming from." Police have been criticized by Indigenous groups as being too quick to dismiss their concerns, label missing girls as runaways or conduct inadequate investigations. In Winnipeg, the search focus now shifts to the city-owned Brady Road landfill, where workers will look for the remains of Ashley Shingoose. Shingoose, who was given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, before she was identified, was one of the four First Nations women killed by Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. He was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder last year. The partial remains of Rebecca Contois, the other victim of Skibicki, were located at the Brady Road landfill in 2022. Provincial and municipal governments across the country need to find the political will to drive transformative change, Anderson-Pyrz said. "Look at this crisis from a prevention lens — how to mitigate the risks associated to Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit and gender-diverse people in Canada, and also to ensure there is policy and legislation and accountability mechanisms … how the justice system holds these perpetrators of violence accountable," she said. "There cannot be a two-tier system in Canada — one for Indigenous women, where we're devalued, and one for the rest of society." Anderson-Pyrz said she has "a lot of mixed emotions" when she thinks about the situation that exists for many First Nations people. Progress is being made, but there's "ongoing violence … rooted in systemic and structural racism," she said.
CBC
18-07-2025
- CBC
Implement countrywide Red Dress Alert system to prevent need for landfill searches for women: MMIWG advocate
Social Sharing As one landfill search ends and another is planned to begin, an MMIWG advocate says countrywide implementation of the Red Dress Alert and addressing "systemic racism" could prevent the agony of such searches ever needing to happen again. "We know when someone is missing, time is of an essence to locate them and to find them safely," said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, a member of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in Manitoba and chair of the National Family and Survivors Circle. Manitoba is in the process of launching the Red Dress Alert pilot project, which will provide a notification to people's mobile phones when an Indigenous woman, girl, two-spirit or gender diverse person goes missing — similar to how an Amber Alert works. "They should be looking at the next phase to, alongside the federal government, fully implement the [alert] … and adequately resource it to ensure that it's long-term and sustainable," Anderson-Pyrz said. "We'll be fighting for those resources, because what the Red Dress Alert means in this country is very powerful for Indigenous women, girls and children." But even that's just the beginning of what needs to be done, said Anderson-Pyrz, who became immersed in the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls when the body of her sister, Dawn Anderson, was found in November 2011 outside her home in the northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids. Many people who go missing do so because of systems "that continue to deliver services and supports under colonial policies," Anderson-Pyrz said. It took two years of advocacy by families before a search for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran in the privately owned Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, started in December 2024. Partial remains were discovered in February, and workers remained at the site in an effort to find more, before the search wrapped up on July 9. Anderson-Pyrz said it shouldn't have taken so long or required so much effort to make a search finally happen. "If we hold these systems to account, we wouldn't be having to fight on the front lines, families wouldn't have to be advocating on the front lines for the dignity of their loved ones, to bring them home, to honour them in ceremony," she said. "We need to look at the systemic racism within policing, [because] this is where it's ultimately stemming from." Police have been criticized by Indigenous groups as being too quick to dismiss their concerns, label missing girls as runaways or conduct inadequate investigations. In Winnipeg, the search focus now shifts to the city-owned Brady Road landfill, where workers will look for the remains of Ashley Shingoose. Shingoose, who was given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, before she was identified, was one of the four First Nations women killed by Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. He was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder last year. The remains of Rebecca Contois, the other victim of Skibicki, were located at the Brady Road landfill in 2022. Provincial and municipal governments across the country need to find the political will to drive transformative change, Anderson-Pyrz said. "Look at this crisis from a prevention lens — how to mitigate the risks associated to Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit and gender diverse people in Canada, and also to ensure there is policy and legislation and accountability mechanisms … how the justice system holds these perpetrators of violence accountable," she said. "There cannot be a two-tier system in Canada, one for Indigenous women where we're devalued, and one for the rest of society."
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We need you to be our ally': Josie Nepinak on Canada Day, ‘ongoing genocide,' and walking a ‘shared path' toward reconciliation
For Josie Nepinak, July 1 marks a day of reflection as an Indigenous leader, grandmother and member of her community. The president of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), Nepinak views Canada Day as an opportunity — not to erase painful history, but to reflect, to educate, and to walk a 'shared path' forward. 'Canada's birthday is July 1, but it's everyone's birthday, in the fact that we can celebrate who we are collectively,' says Nepinak. 'It's not about the differences that we have. It really is about the commonalities we need to focus on.' Nepinak's work as NWAC's president is rooted in initiatives to advocate for the rights, well-being, and advancement of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people across Canada. Her focus is on stopping what she calls an 'ongoing genocide' — a crisis that continues to devastate her community, particularly through the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). As we focus on the direction of the country this Canada Day, Nepinak's message is clear: 'We, as Indigenous, need you. We need you to be our ally. We need you to be our voice. Because sometimes our voice is not enough,' says Nepinak. 'As First Nations people of this country, we have the opportunity to create that friendship, in a shared path of reconciliation. Not one behind the other, but as equal partners.' Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians — born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders. As July 1 rolls in, it marks the end of National Indigenous History Month in Canada, highlighted by National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Another important day is June 3, this time marking the sixth anniversary of the National Inquiry's Final Report, "Reclaiming Power and Place," on MMIWG. The report documents the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women. It concludes with 231 'Calls for Justice' to aid in reconciliation efforts. But six years later, progress is stagnant. Of the 231 Calls for Justice, only two have been fully completed. 'If we were to do a report card on this issue, we would definitely give it a failing grade as to the action on the inquiry,' says Nepinak. The NWAC president believes the 'Government of Canada needs to have a serious look at why these recommendations are not implemented," since it's "ultimately about saving the lives of Canada's most vulnerable people.' On a daily basis, Nepinak scrolls social media to see new faces of women and girls who have gone missing. According to Stats-Can data from 2009-21, Indigenous women are murdered at a rate six times higher than non-Indigenous counterparts. Thousands upon thousands have been ripped away from their communities, oftentimes with very few answers. 'It certainly is ongoing genocide. It certainly is a disappointment and a huge frustration for Indigenous peoples across the country, especially Indigenous women, who have been fighting for decades for this issue of actionable items.'Josie Nepinak, President of Native Women's Association Canada Forty-eight years ago, Nepinak's advocacy for this issue began as a teenager. It was when her aunt was murdered in Winnipeg, a city that's the epicentre for MMIWG. In 2011, Nepinak's cousin, Tanya, also went missing. Police believe she was murdered, with an initial charge being laid against Sean Lamb. The charge was ultimately stayed after police weren't able to find her body. Lamb has in turn been convicted of killing two other Indigenous women. In regards to her aunt's case, 48 years later, her murderer has never been found. 'There is no accountability. We continue to grieve for her, for her and her children, who are now the grandchildren that she was never able to hold. … All of those issues matter, because when you have that empty seat, whether at your dinner table, your special events, birthday parties, you do feel that loss,' says Nepinak. 'Whether it's 48 years ago or whether it was last week, it still can feel the same.' Nepinak's work is rooted in making sure that no other family has to experience the same pain. Starting in 1963 at five years old, until her late-teenage years, Nepinak attended Pine Creek and Mackay residential schools in Manitoba. It's a period of her life she doesn't speak about publicly, instead she focuses on doing what she can do to heal. She suffers from PTSD, as she started to recognize symptoms as an adult, such as anxiety and depression. Nepinak, 66, says she always struggled with the word 'survivor' in its association with those who attended residential schools, since the trauma continues to impact their communities. 'If we have survived,' why are there ongoing problems with the MMIWG epidemic, along with high rates of suicide, mortality, homelessness and addiction among Indigenous peoples, asks the NWAC president. 'There are thousands of Indigenous women, thousands of Indigenous children across this country who do not have their mothers ... which in turn will make them vulnerable as well,' says Nepinak. Trauma in Indigenous communities continues to form, while it's also passed on from previous generations. That can be from epigenetics, to continuing patterns of abuse that were experienced in places such as residential schools, where thousands of Indigenous kids died. Along with policies geared toward assimilation, these institutions have a history of physical and sexual violence, up until the last school was closed in 1997. According to a Stats-Can 2023 report, 26 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced childhood sexual violence, compared to 9.2 per cent of non-Indigenous women. Thirteen per cent of Indigenous peoples with a current or ex-partner experienced violence in the past five years, double the rate of non-Indigenous people (5.7 per cent). These problems force many to leave their communities, such as First Nation reserves. It's in hope for a different life, oftentimes in urban centres, such as Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver. It's on these journeys where Indigenous women have been killed, such as on B.C.'s infamous Highway of Tears. But it's also when they arrive in urban centres, where neglect continues as they struggle to find a sense of belonging and safety. When I say genocide, folks are not comfortable with it, it makes people anxious. … I would ask people to look at it within the context of the Indigenous women's experience in Nepinak, President of Native Women's Association Canada Throughout history, Indigenous women have especially been targeted with genocidal policies, in an effort to 'get rid of the Indian in this country,' says Nepinak. From forced sterilization, to the removal of their children during the Sixties Scoop, to how the Indian Act has sought to enfranchise them and their predecessors. 'The target were the women, because it's the women who are the caregivers, the nurturers, the medicine pickers, the women who hold the clan mothers, who hold communities together,' says Nepinak. By being a status Indian, Indigenous peoples are afforded certain rights, such as being able to live on reserve land, while being entitled to programs and services from federal and provincial governments. Many have lost their status and have become enfranchised; that includes voluntary cases, in an effort to avoid having their children attend residential schools. Nepinak originally lost her Indian-status after getting married to a non-Indigenous person in 1978. It was a rule that was not applied to Indigenous men; instead in their case, they could even pass on their status to non-Indigenous women. Nepinak was able to reclaim her status after an amendment to the Act in 1985. However, due to her daughter also marrying a non-Indigenous person, it means that her grandson doesn't currently qualify for treaty rights, as he falls under 'a second generation cut-off.' The NWAC president finds it "disgusting" that someone in Ottawa is able to make the decision whether or not a member of her family can qualify for Indian status. She calls the experience in relation to her grandson 'very painful.' Currently, as of June 2025, Bill S-2 is before the Canadian Senate, with the goal of addressing the inequities of the Indian Act to help more Indigenous peoples reclaim status. Nepinak says that by becoming enfranchised, it pushes 'Indigenous, First Nations women further and further into the margins, by stripping them of their individual rights and benefits.' These problems become even more polarizing as they start 'floating between' their community and urban centres, as they lose financial and social services, along with a connection to their culture. The NWAC president says the role of their organization is to be empathetic, non-judgmental, and to provide resources to help those in their communities, whether they live on a reserve and have Indian status, or not. One of their pillar programs is the Safe Passage initiative. Along with hosting a database that works to capture the extent of this genocide, it provides resources and guidances for those in need, while finding ways to help them stay connected to their culture. Nepinak calls on the federal government to allocate more resources, such as toward intersecting issues around human trafficking, housing, mental health supports, emergency shelters and transitional homes. Without these resources, women become more vulnerable to survival economies, such as sex work. A 2011 City of Vancouver study found that 40 per cent of sex workers are Indigenous, despite making up two per cent of Vancouver's population. It's problems like these that make truth and reconciliation an ongoing process, and not just the focus of a few days during the year. Nepinak wants municipalities, and the systems small and large surrounding them, to not get in the habit of displaying the 'wooden Indian.' It's an analogy that refers to the practice of making Indigenous peoples front and centre just for special occasions. 'That's not reconciliation,' says Nepinak. 'That, to me, just doesn't sit well, because if truly you're going to appreciate Indigenous peoples … get to know our culture, our language, who we are, what our history is, and that includes the ugly history.' It's a collective responsibility, through all levels of government and our education system. Along with learning the history, Nepinak believes it's important people learn the values of Indigenous communities, to help create a society where they'll feel accepted and understood. This agenda becomes more important with the recent wave of immigration that Canada has experienced, says Nepinak, as new Canadians have a chance to learn what truly makes the fabric of Canada. The NWAC president has noticed a shift in how July 1 is perceived among her communities. Five years ago, she says, it was more common to hear people dismiss the thought of marking the day, behind the belief of 'That's not my Canada.' Now, for Nepinak, it holds a different meaning. While it might not be the case for everyone, she sees it as an opportunity to come together and move forward, knowing that Indigenous peoples need to recognize their trauma and where it comes from in order to 'begin to heal.' For NWAC, moving forward is about finding ways that Indigenous people can contribute to Canada's economy, as they help thousands of Indigenous women across the country toward their business goals. The 'Be The Drum' program leads that charge, from providing business coaching, to helping participants become aware of financial resources, such as grants to help expand their markets. Ultimately, it's about 'finding your space within a society that's not always been nice to Indigenous people,' says Nepinak, as we strive toward 'mino bimaadiziwin,' a Anishinaabemowin phrase for the 'good life.' For non-Indigenous people, it's about creating an environment for all parts of Canada's society to thrive, which can mean questioning your 'own self perceived thoughts on what Indigenous people are like.' It's the conversations around reconciliation that are the 'easy part.' Instead it's the actions that will challenge us, says Nepinak, as she references the late-Murray Sinclair. 'We require in truth and reconciliation to have all Canadians stand with us on the issues that matter,' says Nepinak. 'I believe that July 1 is really and truly about the country that we live in, the beautiful country of Canada, that we share, the land, that we share the air that we breathe, and the many systems that have built this country to where we are. … 'Let's have truth and reconciliation, let's have peace, let's have healing, and let's understand each other in a better way so we can reduce some of the systemic racism that happens in this country.'
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We need you to be our ally': Josie Nepinak on Canada Day, ‘ongoing genocide,' and walking a ‘shared path' toward reconciliation
For Josie Nepinak, July 1 marks a day of reflection as an Indigenous leader, grandmother and member of her community. The president of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), Nepinak views Canada Day as an opportunity — not to erase painful history, but to reflect, to educate, and to walk a 'shared path' forward. 'Canada's birthday is July 1, but it's everyone's birthday, in the fact that we can celebrate who we are collectively,' says Nepinak. 'It's not about the differences that we have. It really is about the commonalities we need to focus on.' Nepinak's work as NWAC's president is rooted in initiatives to advocate for the rights, well-being, and advancement of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people across Canada. Her focus is on stopping what she calls an 'ongoing genocide' — a crisis that continues to devastate her community, particularly through the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). As we focus on the direction of the country this Canada Day, Nepinak's message is clear: 'We, as Indigenous, need you. We need you to be our ally. We need you to be our voice. Because sometimes our voice is not enough,' says Nepinak. 'As First Nations people of this country, we have the opportunity to create that friendship, in a shared path of reconciliation. Not one behind the other, but as equal partners.' Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians — born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders. As July 1 rolls in, it marks the end of National Indigenous History Month in Canada, highlighted by National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Another important day is June 3, this time marking the sixth anniversary of the National Inquiry's Final Report, "Reclaiming Power and Place," on MMIWG. The report documents the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women. It concludes with 231 'Calls for Justice' to aid in reconciliation efforts. But six years later, progress is stagnant. Of the 231 Calls for Justice, only two have been fully completed. 'If we were to do a report card on this issue, we would definitely give it a failing grade as to the action on the inquiry,' says Nepinak. The NWAC president believes the 'Government of Canada needs to have a serious look at why these recommendations are not implemented," since it's "ultimately about saving the lives of Canada's most vulnerable people.' On a daily basis, Nepinak scrolls social media to see new faces of women and girls who have gone missing. According to Stats-Can data from 2009-21, Indigenous women are murdered at a rate six times higher than non-Indigenous counterparts. Thousands upon thousands have been ripped away from their communities, oftentimes with very few answers. 'It certainly is ongoing genocide,' says Nepinak. 'It certainly is a disappointment and a huge frustration for Indigenous peoples across the country, especially Indigenous women, who have been fighting for decades for this issue of actionable items.' Forty-eight years ago, Nepinak's advocacy for this issue began as a teenager. It was when her aunt was murdered in Winnipeg, a city that's the epicentre for MMIWG. In 2011, Nepinak's cousin, Tanya, also went missing. Police believe she was murdered, with an initial charge being laid against Sean Lamb. The charge was ultimately stayed after police weren't able to find her body. Lamb has in turn been convicted of killing two other Indigenous women. In regards to her aunt's case, 48 years later, her murderer has never been found. 'There is no accountability. We continue to grieve for her, for her and her children, who are now the grandchildren that she was never able to hold. … All of those issues matter, because when you have that empty seat, whether at your dinner table, your special events, birthday parties, you do feel that loss,' says Nepinak. 'Whether it's 48 years ago or whether it was last week, it still can feel the same.' Nepinak's work is rooted in making sure that no other family has to experience the same pain. Starting in 1963 at five years old, until her late-teenage years, Nepinak attended Pine Creek and Mackay residential schools in Manitoba. It's a period of her life she doesn't speak about publicly, instead she focuses on doing what she can do to heal. She suffers from PTSD, as she started to recognize symptoms as an adult, such as anxiety and depression. Nepinak, 66, says she always struggled with the word 'survivor' in its association with those who attended residential schools, since the trauma continues to impact their communities. 'If we have survived,' why are there ongoing problems with the MMIWG epidemic, along with high rates of suicide, mortality, homelessness and addiction among Indigenous peoples, asks the NWAC president. 'There are thousands of Indigenous women, thousands of Indigenous children across this country who do not have their mothers ... which in turn will make them vulnerable as well,' says Nepinak. Trauma in Indigenous communities continues to form, while it's also passed on from previous generations. That can be from epigenetics, to continuing patterns of abuse that were experienced in places such as residential schools, where thousands of Indigenous kids died. Along with policies geared toward assimilation, these institutions have a history of physical and sexual violence, up until the last school was closed in 1997. According to a Stats-Can 2023 report, 26 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced childhood sexual violence, compared to 9.2 per cent of non-Indigenous women. Thirteen per cent of Indigenous peoples with a current or ex-partner experienced violence in the past five years, double the rate of non-Indigenous people (5.7 per cent). These problems force many to leave their communities, such as First Nation reserves. It's in hope for a different life, oftentimes in urban centres, such as Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver. It's on these journeys where Indigenous women have been killed, such as on B.C.'s infamous Highway of Tears. But it's also when they arrive in urban centres, where neglect continues as they struggle to find a sense of belonging and safety. When I say genocide, folks are not comfortable with it, it makes people anxious. … I would ask people to look at it within the context of the Indigenous women's experience in Nepinak, President of Native Women's Association Canada Throughout history, Indigenous women have especially been targeted with genocidal policies, in an effort to 'get rid of the Indian in this country,' says Nepinak. From forced sterilization, to the removal of their children during the Sixties Scoop, to how the Indian Act has sought to enfranchise them and their predecessors. 'The target were the women, because it's the women who are the caregivers, the nurturers, the medicine pickers, the women who hold the clan mothers, who hold communities together,' says Nepinak. By being a status Indian, Indigenous peoples are afforded certain rights, such as being able to live on reserve land, while being entitled to programs and services from federal and provincial governments. Many have lost their status and have become enfranchised; that includes voluntary cases, in an effort to avoid having their children attend residential schools. Nepinak originally lost her Indian-status after getting married to a non-Indigenous person in 1978. It was a rule that was not applied to Indigenous men; instead in their case, they could even pass on their status to non-Indigenous women. Nepinak was able to reclaim her status after an amendment to the Act in 1985. However, due to her daughter also marrying a non-Indigenous person, it means that her grandson doesn't currently qualify for treaty rights, as he falls under 'a second generation cut-off.' The NWAC president finds it "disgusting" that someone in Ottawa is able to make the decision whether or not a member of her family can qualify for Indian status. She calls the experience in relation to her grandson 'very painful.' Currently, as of June 2025, Bill S-2 is before the Canadian Senate, with the goal of addressing the inequities of the Indian Act to help more Indigenous peoples reclaim status. Nepinak says that by becoming enfranchised, it pushes 'Indigenous, First Nations women further and further into the margins, by stripping them of their individual rights and benefits.' These problems become even more polarizing as they start 'floating between' their community and urban centres, as they lose financial and social services, along with a connection to their culture. The NWAC president says the role of their organization is to be empathetic, non-judgmental, and to provide resources to help those in their communities, whether they live on a reserve and have Indian status, or not. One of their pillar programs is the Safe Passage initiative. Along with hosting a database that works to capture the extent of this genocide, it provides resources and guidances for those in need, while finding ways to help them stay connected to their culture. Nepinak calls on the federal government to allocate more resources, such as toward intersecting issues around human trafficking, housing, mental health supports, emergency shelters and transitional homes. Without these resources, women become more vulnerable to survival economies, such as sex work. A 2011 City of Vancouver study found that 40 per cent of sex workers are Indigenous, despite making up two per cent of Vancouver's population. It's problems like these that make truth and reconciliation an ongoing process, and not just the focus of a few days during the year. Nepinak wants municipalities, and the systems small and large surrounding them, to not get in the habit of displaying the 'wooden Indian.' It's an analogy that refers to the practice of making Indigenous peoples front and centre just for special occasions. 'That's not reconciliation,' says Nepinak. 'That, to me, just doesn't sit well, because if truly you're going to appreciate Indigenous peoples … get to know our culture, our language, who we are, what our history is, and that includes the ugly history.' It's a collective responsibility, through all levels of government and our education system. Along with learning the history, Nepinak believes it's important people learn the values of Indigenous communities, to help create a society where they'll feel accepted and understood. This agenda becomes more important with the recent wave of immigration that Canada has experienced, says Nepinak, as new Canadians have a chance to learn what truly makes the fabric of Canada. The NWAC president has noticed a shift in how July 1 is perceived among her communities. Five years ago, she says, it was more common to hear people dismiss the thought of marking the day, behind the belief of 'That's not my Canada.' Now, for Nepinak, it holds a different meaning. While it might not be the case for everyone, she sees it as an opportunity to come together and move forward, knowing that Indigenous peoples need to recognize their trauma and where it comes from in order to 'begin to heal.' For NWAC, moving forward is about finding ways that Indigenous people can contribute to Canada's economy, as they help thousands of Indigenous women across the country toward their business goals. The 'Be The Drum' program leads that charge, from providing business coaching, to helping participants become aware of financial resources, such as grants to help expand their markets. Ultimately, it's about 'finding your space within a society that's not always been nice to Indigenous people,' says Nepinak, as we strive toward 'mino bimaadiziwin,' a Anishinaabemowin phrase for the 'good life.' For non-Indigenous people, it's about creating an environment for all parts of Canada's society to thrive, which can mean questioning your 'own self perceived thoughts on what Indigenous people are like.' It's the conversations around reconciliation that are the 'easy part.' Instead it's the actions that will challenge us, says Nepinak, as she references the late-Murray Sinclair. 'We require in truth and reconciliation to have all Canadians stand with us on the issues that matter,' says Nepinak. 'I believe that July 1 is really and truly about the country that we live in, the beautiful country of Canada, that we share, the land, that we share the air that we breathe, and the many systems that have built this country to where we are. … 'Let's have truth and reconciliation, let's have peace, let's have healing, and let's understand each other in a better way so we can reduce some of the systemic racism that happens in this country.'
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
HUNTER: Scolding, posturing has not solved one MMIWG cold case
Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox MURDERED: Master carver George David. PAPD We all remember the scoldings. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Daily, we were told that the crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) was our fault. In some ways, it was true, but in most ways, it wasn't. So we launched a commission that cost a zillion dollars and had a pre-determined outcome. Reality, however, scorched the commission's narrative and that of Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. Now, six years after the final report was released in 2019, with a so-called action plan, Red Dress Days and myriad other faculty lounge-inspired endeavours, MMIWG remains a national crisis. MMIWG: A criminology professor has warned that the real number of murdered Indigenous women and girls could be double official estimates. Little has been done except for the go-to vibes. 'Many of these murders of women and children could be easily solved, but it's like the government has an aversion to doing anything,' one homicide detective told me. 'They don't seem to want to bring closure, justice and relief to the families and communities affected.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Easier to scold and virtue signal than to do anything constructive. South of the border, it's a different story. It's a commitment and a promise. On Thursday, Washington state's newly minted Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Unit announced they arrested an Arkansas woman in a nine-year-old cold case. A red ribbon attached to an eagle feather is held up during ceremonies marking the release of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women report in Gatineau, Monday June 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld While the victim was an Indigenous man, the result was an arrest and a charge of second-degree murder. According to The Olympian , George David, 65, was a respected master woodcarver and a resident of the Port Angeles area. He was found murdered on March 28, 2016. David had just returned from visiting family and attending a funeral in British Columbia. Tina Alcorn appeared in Clallam County Superior Court on Tuesday. She remains in custody, held on $1 million bail. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. VIBES: Ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the National Caucus holiday party in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Photo by Kamara Morozuk / Bloomberg Cops say Alcorn was on their radar as a primary suspect early in the investigation but fell through the cracks until last month. 'This case has never been forgotten,' Port Angeles Police Chief Brian S. Smith said. 'The renewed investigation, bolstered by our partnership with the MMIWP Task Force, reflects our commitment to justice and to honouring George David's memory.' It's startling when you consider the hundreds of faces of missing and murdered Indigenous women in this country. Seemingly forgotten, except for the wails of anguish from their heartbroken families. Indigenous mother of two Terri McCauley, 18, was murdered in 1983. American cops have closed the case. ISP Instead of arrests and answers in Canada, victims' families are left with tiresome platitudes and a numbing limbo. A small coterie of loudmouths and their bureaucratic enablers leave survivors high and dry. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In the U.S., detectives with the new MMIWP are making arrests. More than 40 years after 18-year-old Terri McCauley was murdered in Iowa, investigators made an arrest there. McCauley was a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. REMEMBER: A makeshift memorial to murdered mother of two Terri McCauley. Cops say theyve arrested her killer after more than 40 years. FACEBOOK 'She could have been a successful person, a Native female, who could have made a big difference in this community. And unfortunately, that was taken from her,' family spokesman Joshua Taylor said. McCauley vanished after a night out with friends in the fall of 1983. She was last seen getting into a vehicle outside a Sioux City watering hole. Her body was discovered days later in a wooded area miles away. She had been shot to death. More lost promise. Read More Thomas Duane Popp has been charged with first-degree murder. 'I want to commend our cold case team for their work on behalf of victims and families,' Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said. 'This is a milestone on a long path toward accountability. The Legislature funded this work because so many people would not give up the pursuit of justice for their loved ones.' And in Canada? MMIWG families are like those stranded in Casablanca in the classic Humphrey Bogart movie of the same name. They wait, and wait, and wait. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun World Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada Music
