National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is recognized annually on May 5. It is a day to bring awareness and to recognize and honour the lost lives of Indigenous women and girls.

"May 5 is also known as Red Dress Day, and it is important for us to remember the thousands of missing Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada. We must also recognize the impacts of violence, not only on the families but on communities as well. The provincial government will continue to implement the MMIWG Calls for Justice to help end gender-based violence in the province."

- Premier Dennis King

The Government of PEI is providing annual reports, through an Indigenous led process, showing how it is implementing the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Calls for Justice of the MMIWG, to drive lasting change for Indigenous families and communities. The annual status report for 2023 offers a blended summary and detailed responses to the Calls for Justice and Calls to Action. Highlights from the report include:

• Signed a historic agreement with the Chiefs of Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation for a housing project in Hillsborough Park, Charlottetown, that will provide land to address the housing needs of First Nations urban community and to promote economic development within the First Nation community.
• Provided an annual fund of $500,000 to support the Indigenous Working Group to engage and collaborate with the province on work related to gender-based violence and MMIWG and the Calls for Justice status report over the next four years.
• Provided $50,000 through the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning & Population to Sierra Club Canada Foundation (Wild Child PEI) for Llika'Wksitqmuk, a program that aims to reconnect non-reserve Indigenous children back to the land using traditional teachings.
• Implemented a new module for teachers called Allyship about Mi'kmaq culture and language as a provincially developed course for students through the Department of Education & Early Years. This module seeks to build intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
• Provided $97,250 through the Department of Social Development and Seniors for a School Food Program at John J. Sark Memorial School in Lennox Island First Nation.
• Opened the Provincial Correctional Center Women's Unit, which has a designated area for practicing spirituality and allows for cultural ceremonies such as smudging.
• Provided $37,500 to the Native Council of Prince Edward Island through the Interministerial Women's Secretariat for a project to get a full and current picture of gender-based violence in the off-reserve Indigenous community so that future programs and projects can more accurately help the community where needed.

This year, the Indigenous Relations Secretariat provided training to over 380 decision-makers and senior management in all twelve government departments on the history of residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and reporting on TRC Calls to Action and MMIWG Calls for Justice.

The Government of Prince Edward Island recognizes the importance of education and awareness in ending violence against Indigenous women and girls. The province will continue to advance initiatives and programs that support the implementation of the MMIWG Calls for Justice, while ensuring that ongoing education and awareness complements this important work.

Islanders are invited to join the Red Dress Walk, hosted by Aboriginal Women's Association of PEI (AWAPEI), at the Victoria Park Pavilion in Charlottetown on Sunday, May 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. AWAPEI encourages all participants to wear red.

Media contact:
Nicole Yeba
Bilingual Senior Communications Officer
Executive Council Office
[email protected]