Urgent action needed to end the genocide of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people

On December 1, 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service revealed the arrest of an alleged serial killer in Winnipeg who is charged with the murders of four Indigenous women. 

Ka Ni Kanichihk stands with the families of the victims as they grieve the lives of their loved ones. Indigenous women are sacred and valued. We honour the lives of Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, and Morgan Beatrice Harris. Along with the MMIWGS2S+ Implementation Committee, we honour the life of the fourth victim, the Buffalo Woman or Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, the name offered to her by the MMIWG2S Implementation Committee and the community until her real name is found. 

News reports show that the accused expressed views filled with hate, misogyny, and white supremacy. The violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S people is a legacy of colonialism. We know that Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by violence, with almost six in 10 Indigenous women experiencing physical assault in their lifetime. 

This violence is an emergency and it is a genocide. We need to create systemic change in order to curb the rise of racism and violence that is taking place in Winnipeg and across the country, and protect the lives of our Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. 

Today, Ka Ni Kanichihk is calling on governments and institutions of every level to take swift and urgent action to end the genocide against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We cannot wait any longer. 

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We realize that this time is a challenging one for many survivors of gender-based violence, families and the community. Help is available to those who need it. 

Medicine Bear Counselling, Support and Elder Services at Ka Ni Kanichihk provides families of murdered and missing women the opportunity to heal from complicated grief and trauma within a culturally safe and supportive environment.

The Heart Medicine Lodge also offers culturally-based support and advocacy services for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence is also 

For more information: within Winnipeg please contact 204-594-6500 ext. 102 or 104, or if outside of Winnipeg please contact 1-888-953-KANI (5264).