Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited Peoples (MMIWG2S+)

Acknowledging Helen Betty Osborne: Reflecting on the Legacy of Justice and Advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and steps to becoming an ally

Helen Betty Osborne, a 19-year-old Cree woman from The Pas, Manitoba, was tragically murdered in 1971. Her life was stolen from her in a brutal act of violence, yet her case languished without justice for many years. Despite knowing the identities of her killers, systemic racism, sexism, and community indifference allowed the perpetrators to go unpunished for over a decade. It wasn't until the 1991 Aboriginal Justice Inquiry that these failures were formally recognized, and the need for systemic change was underscored. This recognition was echoed once again in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S+), which identified the staggering rates of violence and disappearance faced by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

In Winnipeg and across Manitoba, the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples persists as an ongoing tragedy. Specifically, Indigenous women in Manitoba are disproportionately affected by violence, with an alarmingly high overrepresentation in statistics of missing persons, homicides, and assaults.

According to the National Inquiry’s final report, Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women in Canada. In Manitoba, the rates are even more severe, with Indigenous women and girls comprising 40% of the female homicide victims in the province despite making up only 14% of the population. These statistics highlight the urgency of addressing the crisis and demand both immediate action and long-term solutions.

Current Realities of Violence and Displacement in Winnipeg

Winnipeg is often referred to as the "murder capital of Canada," and it is a tragic fact that Indigenous women and girls in the city face some of the highest rates of violence in the country. Many of these women and girls experience violence, exploitation, and systemic neglect in both public and private spaces.

Indigenous people in Winnipeg, particularly women and gender diverse individuals, are also overrepresented in the city’s homeless population, often targeted by violence while navigating the streets and shelters. Indigenous women report disproportionately high rates of discrimination in police interactions, healthcare services, and housing.

Actions for Change: Upholding Helen Betty Osborne’s Legacy

In 2022, the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Division, in partnership with Giganawenimaanaanig (formerly the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Advisory Committee), began implementing a civic plan to address this crisis. The initiatives aim to take concrete steps toward reducing violence, prioritizing Indigenous voices, and creating safer environments for all.

Key elements of this action plan include:

Leadership by Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse Voices: Empowering Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit and gender-diverse people to be at the forefront of decision-making, ensuring that their voices and lived experiences shape the solutions.
Accountability Mechanisms: Establishing clear systems of responsibility within the City of Winnipeg and its various services to ensure tangible progress in addressing the issue.
Community-Led Safety Initiatives: Supporting initiatives such as Safe Transportation, Awareness Training, and the creation of Safe Spaces for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people.
Collaboration and Partnership: The plan works in partnership with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, local leaders, Elders, and organizations to create comprehensive and culturally appropriate solutions.

How Can We Be Allies?

Being an ally means not only acknowledging the systemic violence Indigenous women face but also acting to combat it. This can include:

Listening to and Elevating Indigenous Voices: Actively support Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in leadership roles, and work to amplify their voices in conversations about policy, justice, and community safety.
Supporting Local Initiatives: Participate in or donate to local Indigenous-led organizations that provide resources, advocacy, and support for survivors of violence.
Education and Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the history of violence against Indigenous peoples and the current realities of the crisis. Understanding Helen Betty Osborne’s story and the broader MMIWG2S+ issue is a crucial first step.
Advocating for Systemic Change: Support policies that aim to dismantle systemic barriers, whether through fair access to housing, healthcare, or justice. Stand up against racism and sexism in all spaces, whether they be in workplaces, schools, or public spaces.

Helen Betty Osborne's story is a painful reminder of the enduring effects of systemic racism, and the violent histories that continue to shape the lives of Indigenous peoples. Her legacy, however, also calls us to action, urging us to challenge these structures and work together to create a world where Indigenous women and girls are valued, heard, and safe.

For emotional support, the national MMIWG2S+ crisis line is available 24/7 at 1-844-413-6649. Employees can also access LifeWorks at 1-844-880-9142.

To learn more about how you can support the ongoing work to end violence against Indigenous women and two-spirit and gender-diverse people in Winnipeg, contact the Indigenous Relations Division at indigenousrelations@winnipeg.ca.

October 4 - Honoring and Awareness Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

October 4th marks the Honoring and Awareness Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in Manitoba. To honor families, survivors, and advocates, the Esplanade Riel and WINNIPEG sign will be lit, and red dresses will be displayed at City Hall (510 Main Street) and all Winnipeg Public Libraries.

Since 2017, Manitoba has recognized October 4th as a day to remember over 1,200 Indigenous women and girls who are missing or murdered across Canada. The City of Winnipeg, through its Indigenous Relations Division, collaborates with community partners to enhance safety for Indigenous women and two-spirit individuals.

To address the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender-Diverse Peoples, the Indigenous Relations Division is dedicated to implementing the City’s response plan aimed at ending violence against Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals. Central to IRD’s efforts are the principles of co-development, which involve close collaboration with Gigananaaweinmaanig—a collective of advocates, matriarchs, survivors, and families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Gender Diverse, and Two-Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S+), ensuring accountability and collaboration at every step.

We encourage Winnipeggers to visit the Rainbow Butterfly warming hut at St. Johns Park as a symbol of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit People, and Gender Diverse Peoples. October 4th serves as an opportunity to commit to the Calls for Justice outlined in the National Inquiry.

Co-creation is essential to create to a community’s response to the Calls for Justice called the civic implementation plan. Key areas identified include Safe Transportation, Safe Spaces, and initiatives such as Rainbow Butterfly, with specific actions informed by Calls for Justice 4.8, 8.1, and 17.9.

For emotional support, resources are available at the national crisis line (1-844-413-6649) and through the City’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (1-844-880-9142). Together, we can honor those lost and strive for meaningful change.

May 5 – National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited Peoples (MMIWG2S+)

May 5^th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples. On this day, red dresses will be hung to raise awareness on violence against Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

To demonstrate support and to honour all MMIWG2S+ families, survivors, and advocates, the WINNIPEG sign and Esplanade Riel Bridge will be lit red. Red dresses will be hung at City Hall (510 Main Street) and at all Winnipeg Public Libraries.

The crisis of MMIWG2S+ is deeply embedded in Canada’s history. Impacts can be tied directly to colonialism as well as social, economic and cultural circumstances that enable the failure of available institutions to substantially respond to violence against Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

This crisis has been public for the past four decades and was documented in the Manitoba’s Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, (1988 and tabled in 1999) following the 1971 murder of Helen Betty Osborne in The Pas.

Additional Resources

Amnesty International released Stolen Sisters: A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada (2004)
Native Women’s Association of Canada launched the Sisters in Spirit initiative (2009)
The National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (2016)

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to help?

Native Women’s Association of Canada

On June 2nd, 2021 the Native Women’s Association of Canada Ahead of the release of the National Action Plan the Native Women’s Association of Canada released their action plan, Our Calls Our Actions

Principles central to the action plan created by NWAC to remedy/redress the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. NWAC Key areas of Our Calls Our Actions are:

Culture and Language
Health and Wellness
Human Security
Justice
Public Awareness
International

National Family and Survivors Circle (NFSC)

In response to the 231 Calls for Justice and the Principles for Change from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the establishment of the National Family and Survivors Circle (NFSC) was supported by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to provide guidance on how to engage families, survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the development and implementation of a National Action Plan. The NFSC is comprised of Indigenous women from diverse backgrounds. For more information https://familysurvivorscircle.ca/.

The National Action plan includes a short term plan that response to the 231 Calls for Justice, and the 62 Calls for Miskotahâ from Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak / Women of the Métis Nation report.

Resource list

For help and assistance

National, toll-free 24/7 crisis line for individuals who need support as a result of learning about and from the Inquiry, its reports and related information. Service is available in English, French, Cree, Anishinaabemowin(Ojbiway) and Inuktitut.
Phone: 1-844-413-6649.

After-care supports: "Survivors, family members and those affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls can access mental health counselling and community-based cultural support services." Visit Indigenous Services Canada. In Manitoba, phone: 1-866-818-3505.

Who do I call call?

For education and awareness

Last update: November 8, 2024

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