Taking Action in Memory of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: 5 Ways to Make a Difference

May 05, 2025 Melissa Charbonneau

May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) in Canada, is a day of mourning, reflection, and action.
Did you know that Indigenous women are four times more likely to be victims of violence?

To help bring justice, safety, and dignity to Indigenous communities, we can all be part of the change. Here are 5 actions we can take daily to support the cause:

Know and Share Support Resources

There are services specifically created for families and survivors of MMIWG2S.
24/7 Help Line: 1-844-413-6649
This service is free, confidential, and accessible to all, including in Indigenous languages.

Educate Yourself and Raise Awareness

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls includes 231 Calls for Justice. Reading these recommendations is a first step toward understanding the crisis.
Talk about them with others, share the information, and help shine a light on these calls for justice — each of these actions matters.

Read Books Inspired by Unsolved Investigations

Here are some impactful readings to deepen your understanding:

"Highway of Tears" by Jessica McDiarmid
A gripping investigation into British Columbia's Highway 16 and the devastating effects the murders and disappearances have had on the victims’ families and communities.

"Red River Girl" by Joanna Jolly
The heartbreaking story of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, whose body was found in the Red River in 2014, and the investigation led by a determined officer.
Award-winning journalist Joanna Jolly traces Tina's story, the systemic failures that put her in danger, and the broader crisis affecting Indigenous women and girls in Canada. A powerful call for justice and change.

Support Indigenous Artists, Creators, and Businesses

Art is a form of resistance and remembrance.
Buying from Indigenous-owned businesses or supporting artists engaged in this cause helps amplify the voices of the communities.

KWE is also a tribute

In March, we launched our latest design, KWE, inspired by the jingle dress. This blanket represents the strength and resilience of women.
KWE is a tribute to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. It symbolizes a step toward healing and hope for justice.

On May 5, 2025, 20% of all KWE blanket sales will be donated to the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) as part of their Safe Passage program.

“The Safe Passage reporting tool is trauma-informed and survivor-focused, allowing families and survivors to share as much information as they can about a known MMIWG2S+ case. Community members can also report any dangerous experiences and feel believed, respected, and validated.
By sharing knowledge about unsafe experiences in the community, we can better track safety issues as they arise.
The information submitted through Safe Passage tools is visually represented on the Safe Passage Map to raise awareness about the MMIWG2S+ genocide and enhance safety for Indigenous community members.”

Use Your Platforms

Whether you have an established social media following or not, your contribution is valuable for raising awareness.

If you have a community:
Share information and encourage others to reshare.
Use your platform as a powerful amplification tool.
If you don’t have a large following:
Like, share, and comment on existing posts.
Every interaction helps increase visibility.