Ottawa marks Sisters in Spirit Day with MMIWG2S+ funding update

Four federal ministers marked Sisters in Spirit Day on October 4 by honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and summarizing recent federal support for Indigenous-led safety, survivor and shelter initiatives.

In a joint statement published October 4, the ministers said Ottawa has provided $300,000 toward the next phase of a Red Dress Alert pilot in Manitoba and $2.6 million to the National Family and Survivors Circle.

The statement also put total federal investments for shelters and violence-prevention work at more than $978 million. It said that support covers 46 existing shelters and the establishment of 92 emergency and second-stage shelters, including a shelter and transitional-housing project for women and children experiencing violence in Nunavik.

Ottawa also pointed to $607.4 million over four years for continued implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. The ministers acknowledged that more work remains and said future efforts must be undertaken with survivors, families and communities.

Anyone who needs emotional support related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people can call the national 24-hour crisis line at 1-844-413-6649. The federal statement also links to health and cultural support services.

Illustrative photo: Zoran Kokanovic / Unsplash License. The image shows memorial candles and was not taken at a Sisters in Spirit event. Cropped and resized.