(June 5, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak today marked Blue Jean Jacket Day, held every year to honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous men, boys, and Two-Spirit people, calling for urgent action to address the crisis and root causes.
“Today, First Nations and allies across the country are gathering in unity to honour the memory of all First Nations men, boys and Two-Spirit people who are no longer with their families, friends and communities,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “We must honour their memories with action – action by governments, law enforcement and all those with a role to play in bringing about justice for our people. That includes a National Inquiry into Missing, Murdered, and Neglected Indigenous Men, Boys, and Two-Spirit People. We know the tragic statistics, but for every number there is a son, a father, an Elder, a grandfather. Their lives are sacred, woven into the fabric of our communities and Nations. We must address the urgent crisis and the root causes that create it and sustain it. For all those gathering today, we acknowledge your support and your calls for action.”
Blue Jean Jacket Day was started in Edmonton, Alberta in 2023 as a national grassroots awareness day dedicated to honouring and remembering Missing, Murdered Indigenous Men, Boys, and Two-Spirit people. Violence against First Nations men, boys, and Two-Spirit people remains significantly under-recognized, despite disproportionate impacts including overrepresentation in homicide, victimization, justice system involvement, and police interactions.
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For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]