On a day devoted to honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, an advocate from Saskatchewan is hoping for the full implementation of the Calls for Justice.
The final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls handed out 231 Calls for Justice to various levels of government and different organizations.
Myrna Laplante, has been an MMIWG advocate since her aunt went missing in 2007. LaPlante is the co-chair of Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together) a Saskatoon-based support group for those affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Laplante says she is hoping for the full implementation of the Calls for Justice and has been impressed by the efforts put in by various governments and organizations so far. She says she has had many conversations with the provincial government, along with different community leaders and organizations on ways to get the Calls for Justice implemented.
“It has been really great to see various organizations and governments step up and do some activities and awareness events on this topic because only a few years ago, this never happened,” said LaPlante.
October 4 is recognized as Sisters in Spirit day with several vigils planned across the province and country to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited individuals. LaPlante is part of the organizers for a vigil to be held in Saskatoon Monday night.
“We want to honour and remember those who are gone or missing and we want to share our love and care to those affected,” said LaPlante.
On Monday morning, Carolyn Bennett Canada’s Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister put out a statement calling for Canadians to use the day to reflect on concrete action going forward.
“Ending this violence is a shared responsibility of all levels of government, as well as of law enforcement agencies, the justice system and civil society,” read a part of Bennett’s statement. “…we will continue working together with families and Survivors, as well as with Indigenous and federal, provincial and territorial governments to protect the rights, freedoms and safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”
LaPlante believes the Sisters in Spirit vigils have gone a long way to help enlighten Canadians on the issues around missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“When my aunt went missing we had very little in the way of help in searching for her,” said LaPLante. “In the years since her disappearance we have seen a huge change in that area with many people taking missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls more seriously… so the awareness is growing.”
This is the 15th year of the Sisters in Spirit vigils with the first one taking place in 2006; put on by the Native Woman’s Association of Canada.
(PHOTO: File Photo from a past MMIWG vigil)