National Day of Action for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls

October 4th is National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (also known as Sisters in Spirit Day), a day to grieve and remember the lives of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people who disappear and are murdered at extremely disproportionate rates. Today we take steps to end this genocide, which is caused by colonisation, denial of rights and dehumanization of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples.

This year marks the 6th anniversary of the release of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG) final report and 231 Calls for Justice. The report revealed that the right to health and safety are inextricably linked, and that centring self-determined solutions that challenge racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia in health services for Indigenous peoples—especially Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people—can contribute to improving community and individual health, safety and healing.

Within the report, Calls to Action for all Canadians include: 

• 15.1) Denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
• 15.2) Decolonize by learning the true history of Canada and Indigenous history in your local area. Learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ history, cultures, pride, and diversity, acknowledging the land you live on and its importance to local Indigenous communities, both historically and today.
• 15.4) Using what you have learned and some of the resources suggested, become a strong ally. Being a strong ally involves more than just tolerance; it means actively working to break down barriers and to support others in every relationship and encounter in which you participate.
• 15.5) Confront and speak out against racism, sexism, ignorance, homophobia, and transphobia, and teach or encourage others to do the same, wherever it occurs: in your home, in your workplace, or in social settings.

With these Calls to Action in mind, the We Are Allies campaign has resources on allyship, addressing harmful misinformation and videos featuring Two-Spirit and Indigenous leaders who share their knowledge, lived experiences and perspectives about gender diversity.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved, visit:  

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Red Women Rising report - Indigenous Women Survivors in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and members of DEWC
• A Path Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C. June 2025 Status Update (a response from Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)
• Métis Nation British Columbia page with information on National Day of Action for MMIWG and resources
• Calls To Action - the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

References

1. Reclaiming Power and Place: The final report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Volume 1 A. (2019) https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf