January 11, 2023
The National Family and Survivors Circle (NFSC) welcomes yesterday’s announcement by the federal government on the path forward for accountability on MMIWG2S+. The Honourable Minister Marc Miller, Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced action on Call for Justice 1.7 by appointing a Ministerial Special Representative to provide advice and recommendations by engaging with survivors, families, partners and organizations; and Call for Justice 1.10 by selecting an Indigenous-led organization to make recommendations for implementation.
The NFSC has continually advocated for accountability by all governments (including Indigenous governments), institutions, organizations, industries, and agencies, to implement the 231 Calls for Justice. Call for Justice 1.7 calls for the establishment of a national Indigenous and human rights ombudsperson as well as a national Indigenous and human rights tribunal, while Call for Justice 1.10 calls for the federal government to create an independent mechanism to report on the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice.
“In order to drive effective change, there must be accountability mechanisms in place to monitor, evaluate, and measure results. Systems of accountability are necessary to ensure this work is done effectively, and results in transformative change for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people,” says Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, NFSC Chair.
The announcement by Minister Miller is a significant step in the right direction and the NFSC looks forward to working with the Ministerial Special Representative and Innovation 7 to develop recommendations that will support the implementation of the National Action Plan and Calls for Justice 1.7 and 1.10.
As this work moves forward, it will be crucial for the Special Representative and Innovation 7 to apply the Principles of Change that guide the implementations of the 231 Calls for Justice — the voices of families and survivors must be centred, and distinctions-based approaches must be applied. Finally, the work must always be focused on ensuring that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTIQQIA+ people can live in safety, security, and with dignity.
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We understand that this subject matter is difficult for many people in our community. If you require immediate support, please contact the national, independent toll free 24/7 support line at 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. The service is available in English, French, Cree, Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway), and Inuktitut.
About the National Family and Survivors Circle (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.
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