Canada is seen as a safe haven for many peoples. When Canada is talked of it is described as a melting pot and as the most diverse place on earth. Often, it is made to sound like a utopia.
It is not.
One of the main things that is not talked about is that Canada is stolen land. It is a colony that has not honoured many treaties with the original peoples of Turtle Island now known as Canada. And the many different peoples from different Aboriginal nations who were here before Canada was formed are still here, and they are often forgotten, as well as vilified, by the larger Canadian society.
One of Canada’s main dirty secrets is that 800 Aboriginal women have been murdered or gone missing since the late 1970s. And Canada is doing nothing about it!
Every February 14th thousands of Aboriginal peoples and their allies hold rallies, talks, and many other events to bring awareness to the epidemic. Join them!
Below are three video resources for you to find out more about the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal women in the land now known as Canada.
Here is an interview I did with Haisla writer Eden Robinson. She breaks down this epidemic quite well:
I had the privilege of being on Indigenous Waves Radio last year. We talked about the epidemic and actions to stop it:
Community Elder Wanda Whitebird shared her knowledge on the epidemic and how it all started!
Take action!
Educate yourself and others on this epidemic. SHARE these videos, attend rallies and talks, and remember the 800+ Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women in the land now known as Canada.
great piece as always. One point that I would like to add is that, even the numbers of 800 is still unrepresented. Most folks that work in the field of vow say that the numbers could be as high as 2000+. Take into account that there are a lot of women who have not been reported missing. We get lost, and forgotten. I get posts of murdered or missing Aboriginal Women and I know just by what I get, the numbers are much higher than the government and police are willing to say. Also: what is the time frame of them being reported. Is this since contact or since the 60s? Some questions to think about…
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