The Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Minister of Justice and Public Safety, virtually joined Indigenous, federal, provincial, and territorial leaders, along with survivors and families of gender-based violence, for the fourth annual Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. The meetings took place in Ottawa on February 11 and 12.

Participants discussed the trafficking and sexual exploitation of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as a Red Dress Alert system for rapid, co-ordinated, and culturally appropriate responses when Indigenous women, girls or 2SLGBTQQIA+ people go missing.

As Indigenous communities are best positioned to design and deliver culturally grounded, trauma-informed and sustainable solutions, other discussions included the importance of implementing solutions that are grassroots and community-led. The meeting also reaffirmed the essential leadership of survivors, families, and youth, as their courage, knowledge, and advocacy continue to drive progress through collective action and collaboration to advance safety, justice, and healing.

Another topic of discussion was around developing stronger safety, prevention and mitigation measures throughout major resource projects, along with Indigenous communities and partners, to address the increased risks Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience, particularly along major project corridors.

Minister Conway Ottenheimer spoke to this topic, stressing the importance of ensuring there are supportive measures in place so that major project development takes into consideration, and responds to the needs of women, girls and Indigenous peoples.

While there is still much to do in Newfoundland and Labrador to support Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, measures such as Gender, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plans will help move the province towards safer and more inclusive communities for all of us, particularly those most impacted by violence.

Participants at the roundtable also committed to continuing to advance the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence and the National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice.

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“It was an honour to join Indigenous, federal, provincial, and territorial partners, as well as survivors and families, in this vital national dialogue. The voices of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people must continue to guide our path forward. Their strength and their lived experiences ground the work we do, and reinforce our collective responsibility to advance safety, justice, and meaningful change. Newfoundland and Labrador remains fully committed to working collaboratively to address violence, discrimination, and the systemic barriers that have, for far too long, put Indigenous peoples at risk.”
Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer
Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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Women and Gender Equality Canada

Office of Crown Indigenous Relations

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