xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) will walk with MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors today at the 33rd Annual February 14th Women’s Memorial March, which begins on the corner of Main St. and Hastings St. at 12:00 pm and proceeds through the Downtown Eastside; marking the locations where loved ones were last seen or found with remembrance and ceremony.
Regional Chief Terry Teegee stated, “Every day we are reminded of how far we have come and how hard we have worked and continue to work for the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples within First Nation communities. Unfortunately, in 2023 no National Action Plan Progress Report was released. Instead, the federal government released its own report. Reports show that some actions have been initiated and there are some small improvements in reporting quality. However, there remains a lack of coordinated action, transparency, and true partnership in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As we march to remember lost loved ones and for the prevention of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, it is also a time to reflect on the time it takes to complete healing journeys and to acknowledge the grief and heartbreak of losing a loved one.”
Long-standing BCAFN Women’s Representative, Louisa Housty-Jones, added, “The feelings of grief and heartbreak are all too familiar for First Nations in BC; I send prayers for strength and love to MMIWG2S+ family members, survivors, and those community members living and working in the Downtown Eastside. We are fortunate to have grassroots organizations to support First Nation community members both in and off reserve. Grassroots organizations play an important role in improving and providing safety for our Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples, and for that, I want to say thank you for the work that they do; it is not easy.”
Orene Askew, also known as DJ O Show, BCAFN 2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative shared, “It is so important to not only include 2SLGBTQQIA+ within the MMIWG2S+ work we do but to also include Indigenous men and boys. According to Statistics Canada, Indigenous men and boys are seven times more likely to be murdered than their non-Indigenous counterparts. In 2020 alone, of the 201 Indigenous homicide victims, 81% were men. This represents the highest rate since 2014. We want to recognize that the protection and safety of Indigenous men and boys is important, and we march for them as we march for MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors. Chen kwenmantumiyap!
The annual Women’s Memorial March is held in numerous communities throughout BC and across Canada to hounour and raise awareness of the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit+ (MMIWG2S+).