On Behalf of Indigenous Health and Rural & Remote Operations
The content of this article contains information about the ongoing genocide against Indigenous women, girls, transgender, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit peoples across Canada. We encourage you to be gentle with and take care of yourself as you go through the information. For many, this day may bring grief, anger, or exhaustion. Support resources are available on the Wellness Intranet pages and additional supports are listed below.
May 5 is Red Dress Day. It’s a day to remember and honour the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people (2SLGBTQQIA+) in Canada by encouraging ongoing learning and building awareness to end the violence. Red Dress Day is inspired by the REDress Project, initiated by Métis artist Jaime Black, which uses empty red dresses as a powerful symbol to represent the lives lost to violence.
Did you know in Canada:
Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people are overrepresented as victims of violence. Between 2009 and 2021, the homicide rate among Indigenous women and girls was six times higher than non-Indigenous women, as reported by Statistics Canada.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was a landmark independent legal process launched in 2016 by the Government of Canada to address the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Released on June 3, 2019, the Inquiry's Final Report concluded that the disproportionate rates of violence experienced by Indigenous people in Canada amount to a race-based genocide. Of the 231 Calls for Justice, 8 speak specifically to health and wellness service providers (Calls 7.1 – 7.8 page 23).
Calls for Health and Wellness Service Providers
- Indigenous-Led Health Services (7.1): Health and wellness services should be designed and delivered by Indigenous Peoples, grounded in their practices, cultures, and values.
- Support for Healing from Trauma (7.2): Health programs must address all forms of unresolved trauma, including intergenerational and complex trauma, and be Indigenous-led.
- Prevention Initiatives (7.3): Support Indigenous-led prevention initiatives for men and boys, suicide prevention, sexual trafficking awareness, mental health, and 2SLGBTQQIA issues.
- Revitalization of Indigenous Health Practices (7.4): Fund the revitalization of Indigenous health, wellness, child, and Elder care practices, including traditional medicines, midwifery, and palliative care.
- Permanent Resources for Indigenous Language Services (7.5): Provide resources for healing and treatment programs in Indigenous languages.
- Ongoing Training for Health Providers (7.6): Ensure all health service providers receive ongoing training in colonial history, anti-bias, local language, and Indigenous health practices.
- Recruitment and Retention of Indigenous Health Workers (7.7, 7.8): Support and incentivize Indigenous people to train, work, and remain in health and wellness fields within their communities.
This May, you can learn, understand, and act in support of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people; attend an upcoming event, wear red, or display a red dress or become more familiar with the existing reports and resources below.
Reading and Resources:
Books:
- In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott
- Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine by Joanna Jolly
Films:
Reports:
- Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan
- Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LBGTQS+ People
- Sacred and Strong – Upholding our Matriarchal Roles: The Health and Wellness Journeys of First Nations Women and Girls Living in BC
- Safe Passage: An Initiative of the National Women’s Association of Canada
Support for Island Health Leaders:
Mental Health Supports:
This can be an inherently difficult topic for many people. Resources are available to you and your loved ones in need of support:
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): Call 1-844-935-4758
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society: Call 1-800- 588-8717 for culturally aware crisis supports for Indigenous Peoples in B.C.
- 1-800-Suicide: Call 1-800-784-2433 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.
- Métis Crisis Line: Call 1-833-Metis-BC (1-833-638-4722).
- 310 Mental Health Support: Call 310-6789 for emotional support and information and resources specific to mental health.