PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2022
OTTAWA – The National Families and Survivors Circle (NFSC) is concerned by the absence of specific new funding commitments to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivors of gender-based violence.
“As more Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are disproportionately murdered, go missing, or experience gender-based violence each year, it is crucial for the Federal Government to take action with sustained investments and a whole of government response by implementing the 231 Calls for Justice in alignment with the National Action Plan and the Federal Pathway,” said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Chair of the NFSC.
The NFSC acknowledges the broader commitments made to Indigenous people in Budget 2022, including an additional $4.3 billion to Indigenous housing and $227.6 million to maintain trauma-informed and Indigenous-led mental wellness services, can have a positive impact on those affected by the ongoing genocide of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
The NFSC reflects on the missed opportunities in Budget 2022 to specifically reference how affected families, communities, and survivors of gender-based violence would benefit. For example, Budget 2022’s commitment to help Indigenous communities mitigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 could have referenced the “shadow pandemic” of increased gender-based violence during the pandemic.
“Despite the lack of specific commitments in this budget, the NFSC will continue to focus on advocating that all governments produce and fund tangible, needs-based, Indigenous-led solutions on the ground that immediately provide safety and security to Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in danger,” said Anderson-Pyrz.
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About the NFSC: The NFSC comprises First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women from diverse backgrounds who use their lived expertise to advocate for centring the voices of families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, survivors of gender-based violence, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and made significant contributions to the 2021 National Action Plan. They urge all governments, organizations, and people to implement the 231 Calls for Justice from the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and for their impact to be felt on the ground by families and survivors.
Please see sources referenced:
1. 231 Calls of Justice
2. 2021 National Action Plan
3. Federal Pathway
For more information, please contact:
Megana Ramaswami
media@emdashagency.ca
