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National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Presses for Full Implementation of Calls for Justice on Sisters in Spirit Day

Published: Oct 06, 2025Press Release

(October 4, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – On this Sisters in Spirit Day, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak shared her support and concern for all First Nations women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals that have been affected by violence.

“The Assembly of First Nations (AFN)offers our support and prayers to all families and communities that have lost a loved one due to the ongoing crisis of violence against First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse people,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “All women and girls are entitled to safety and to security of their person under Canadian law and international human rights law. All governments need to do more to protect First Nations women and girls. Last year, we released a five-year independent review assessing progress made on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. This is a time to stand with the families and communities that have faced the unspeakable. We found that only two Calls for Justice had been fully implemented, an unacceptable level of progress. Sadly, one year later, we are not much further ahead. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs recently released its 2025 Roundtable Report on MMIWG, which indicates that six years after the Final Report, rates of violence against Indigenous women have actually increased. Everyone impacted by these tragedies deserve justice, and we can honour them by urging all levels of government to achieve the 231 Calls for Justice.”

In June, the AFN released its 2025 Progress Report on Breathing Life into the Calls for Justice, focusing on the urgent and growing crisis of human trafficking impacting First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The report shows that responses to trafficking remain underfunded and inconsistent across sectors and regions. Survivors and families are excluded from decision-making, and community-led solutions lack sustainable funding

“This crisis is rooted in colonialism, racism, and systemic discrimination,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “I uplift all women, girls and gender-diverse people who continue to experience disproportionate levels of violence. We will never stop fighting for you and your safety.”

Support is available. The Hope for Wellness Help Line provides immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada. This toll-free service is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To talk with someone, please call 1-855-242-3310. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. Phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibwe, and Inuktitut, upon request.

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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 X @AFN_Updates.

Contact information:

Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]