Indigenous leadership creates Joint Action Circle to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people

Indigenous leadership, in accordance with the Manitoba RCMP, has created a Joint Action Circle with the hopes of addressing the continued violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Manitoba RCMP is working with several Indigenous organizations in the province to prioritize areas of concern and develop strategies and action plans to address the ongoing issue of violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

“The work of families, who for the last 50 years have worked on having a voice, to create space and create safety within our communities. Acknowledging them and acknowledging our relatives who have gone onto the next world who have been taken,” said Sandra DeLaronde, Project Lead of the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Community, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.

The Manitoba RCMP has taken the 231 Calls to Justice and has come out with 10 core components where change can be made in policing, some of which include, investigations, education, Indigenous units & policing, and recruiting & retention.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill says the Joint Action Circle will be Indigenous-led and Survivor-centric.

“Previously we came to the table with plans and strategies, but we now recognize the necessity of coming to the table with open minds. We are committed to listening. We are committed to change and to the continuation of our reconciliation journey,” said Hill.

Hill says Indigenous women in Canada are six times more likely to be a victim of a homicide, as opposed to non-Indigenous women. In the last three years, 21 per cent of homicides within Manitoba RCMP’s jurisdiction were Indigenous women, with eight Indigenous women being killed in the last year.

“We anticipate the opportunity to work towards a common goal of improving relations for a more equitable, mutual, respectful, and trusting relationship between the RCMP and First Nations in Manitoba,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Last year, Winnipeg police charged Jeremy Skibicki with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of four Indigenous women – Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and an unidentified victim named Buffalo Woman.

Thel Denima Morrisseau says many Indigenous families across Canada have loved ones who are either missing or murdered and says it’s time to stop this.

“I want for us to never forget their names and so many others, all of them, because they deserve to be remembered,” said Morrisseau.

“We’re here because we have lost women and girls. That’s why we are here, and we can never forget that.”