(Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has released its final report from the MMIWG2S+ National Gathering. The event brought Survivors of gender-based violence and families of missing or murdered loved ones together in Vancouver from February 14-16, 2023.
“Connecting Hearts and Making Change” builds on a national report, “Breathing Life into the Calls for Justice: An Action Plan to End Violence Against First Nations Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People,” tabled in 2021. It incorporates feedback collected from families and survivors during regional breakout sessions at the National Gathering. It includes suggestions for supporting Survivors and families, keeping First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people safe, and healing individuals and First Nations affected by the crisis.
The report’s release coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which included 231 Calls for Justice. “Four years later and we still need substantial action,” said AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald. “I want to lift up the AFN for its first National MMIWG2S+ Gathering and holding space for the families, survivors, and grass roots advocates who, for so long, have pushed for the establishment of the National Inquiry and are still advocating today for the implementation of the Calls forJustice. We must take action to ensure First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are loved, cherished, safe, protected, and treated with dignity and respect, always. This report offers concrete steps that all levels of government can take to realize the vision of no more stolen sisters.”
The final report outlines a families-first and trauma-informed approach to addressing the crisis. It offers recommendations in four key areas: Justice, Human Security, Health and Wellness, and Culture, with specific recommendations for funding and resources.
“To the courageous Survivors, family members and others who attended the gathering to share their experiences and suggestions: we hear you. We see you. We will continue to call for justice and the supports needed to address this crisis,” said AFN Women’s Council Chair and Ocean Man First Nation Chief Connie Big Eagle. “Your voices are powerful. Together we will work to end violence against our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunties.”
First Nations-in-Assembly have guided the development of these reports. Resolution 67/2019 – Development and Implementation of a National Action Plan on Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ was adopted in July 2019. The resolution directed the AFN to seek appropriate resources and funding for the AFN Women’s Council to engage with First Nations on a National Action Plan and develop a First Nations women-led National Action Plan with input from the regions and First Nations survivors, families, and grassroots family coalitions.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
For more information please contact:
Matthew Bisson
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
343-573-2229
[email protected]
Andrew St. Germain
Office of the National Chief
416-543-1690 (mobile)
[email protected]