The Issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Saskatchewan- Tayyab

 The Issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Saskatchewan- Tayyab

By Tayyab Imtiaz | For Ms. Walling's Blog Spot | Posted: Jan 22, 2023, 10:00 AM CST

Image Posted By Tayyab Imtiaz, 2023

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Saskatchewan is a tragic and ongoing issue that demands immediate attention and action. According to a report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Indigenous women in Canada are overrepresented among missing and murdered women, with Indigenous women making up 16% of female homicides and 11% of missing women, despite Indigenous people comprising only 4% of the population (RCMP, "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada"). In Saskatchewan, the situation is even more dire, with Indigenous women representing a shocking 80% of female homicides, according to the Government of Canada's (GC) 2016 report on "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" (GC, "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls"). These statistics are not just numbers; they represent real women with families and communities who have been robbed of their loved ones. The pain and trauma caused by these losses is immeasurable, and the systemic failures that have led to this crisis must be acknowledged and addressed.

The root causes of MMIWG in Saskatchewan are complex and multifaceted, and include issues such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to education and economic opportunities. Additionally, Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by the ongoing legacy of colonialism and residential schools, which has had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities and has led to intergenerational trauma. The GC's report "Reclaiming Power and Place" (GC, "Reclaiming Power and Place") highlights how these systemic issues continue to place Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people at risk of violence.

Efforts to address the issue of MMIWG must involve collaboration between Indigenous communities, government, and other organizations. It is crucial that Indigenous women and families lead the way in determining the solutions to this crisis, and that their voices be heard and respected. Therefore, policies and initiatives must be developed and implemented to address the underlying issues that make Indigenous women and girls more vulnerable to violence, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and lack of access to justice.

The federal government has announced a national action plan in response to the MMIWG's final report, and the creation of an independent national oversight mechanism to hold the government accountable and ensure the implementation of the action plan. The provincial government of Saskatchewan has also announced its plan to address the issue of MMIWG. While this is a positive step forward, it is important that these efforts are informed and guided by Indigenous women and communities, and that they are adequately resourced to be effective.

It is time for real action and change. We must come together to support Indigenous women and their families, and to work towards a future where all women can live safely and free from violence.

Work Cited

Missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-girls-in-canada 

Canada, W. and G. E. (2020, November 26). Missing and murdered indigenous women and girls: Government of Canada announces support of commemoration in... Canada.ca. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/news/2020/07/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-girls-government-of-canada-announces-support-of-commemoration-initiatives-in-nunavik.html 

Government of Canada, P. S. and P. C. (2013, April 3). Reclaiming power and place : Executive summary of The final report / national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.: CP32-163/2-3-2019E-PDF. Government of Canada Publications - Canada.ca. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.873170/publication.html