Manitoba’s Matriarch Circle meets at Legislature, aims to address MMIWG2S crisis 

Manitoba’s Matriarch Circle convened Thursday morning at the Legislative Building, preparing to help guide the provincial government through its strategy to address missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

“Matriarchs are an important part of our families, our communities, and our nations,” said Karen Swain, who is a grandmother and knowledge keeper working with the circle. 

18 people representing all of Manitoba’s nations along with two grandmothers form the circle, who will be sharing their knowledge and giving input on policy changes and new laws surrounding Indigenous peoples.

“Historically and part of our traditional ways of being, it was women who had a final say in changes that were to be made,” said Cora Morgan, a special advisor on Indigenous women’s issues.

“We are at the centre of our communities, at the centre of our families, the centre of our nations. Our women are the agents of transformative changes in our communities, in our provinces, and across Canada. The Matriarch’s Circle that you see before you today represents those agents of change,” said Nahanni Fontaine, the Minister of Families who led the circle’s first meeting in her office.

The circle’s first priority is addressing the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people, hoping no other family loses a loved one.

“It’s so important and it’s high time that a government responds to this crisis,” explained Tina Keeper, who is one of the people in the Matriarch Circle.

Keeper, who is from Norway House Cree Nation, says it’s long overdue for Indigenous voices to play major roles in policy change.

“Canadians thought that Indigenous people were not gonna make up the future of the country. That is not correct,” said Keeper.

Fontaine adds, “This space was never meant for Indigenous women and so this is an opportunity to claim space and reclaim space, but also in the midst of an ongoing genocide against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited, it’s a way to symbolically in many ways say enough is enough.”

“It just feels so empowering and humbling. I don’t know how to explain the feeling. Just very uplifting,” said Rachael Clarke, a member of Norway House Cree Nation who attended the meeting with Keeper. 

“It’s very important. I have two children of my own … (I hope) they know that the sky is the limit. Just keep rising.”

The circle plans to meet twice a year, on the summer and winter solstices. Keeper says she’s hopeful the matriarchs can help affect lasting changes to all of Manitoba’s people.