QUEEN'S PARK – Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles and NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations, made the following statement on Red Dress Day:
"On this Red Dress Day, we come together to stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the country. We recognize the urgency in correcting the ongoing systemic crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit (MMIWG2S+) people.
Red dresses are now used to represent the absence of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people from their families and communities. The presence of these dresses in Indigenous community spaces are a visual reminder of those who were taken due to racialized and gendered violence.
We have seen firsthand the devastating impacts of this crisis. The pain of losing a loved one in this way is something that no one should endure, and for Indigenous communities, this pain is all too common. The recent damning Ombudsman's report on Misty's story further highlights the ongoing challenges Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people face.
The provincial government has a crucial role in fixing this crisis, starting with fully acknowledging and respecting the human and Indigenous rights violations that are at the root of violence against First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, girls, and two-spirit (MMIWG2S+) people.
We echo the call made by NDP MP Leah Gazan to recognize MMIWG2S+ as a national emergency.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the disproportionate violence, racism, and poverty experienced by Indigenous women, girls, trans, gender diverse, and two-spirit people. It's time for all levels of government in Canada to acknowledge the root causes of gender-based violence, confront the impacts of racism and take responsibility for the genocide and colonial violence that have targeted Indigenous peoples for generations.
Today, we remember the lives taken, and we, the Ontario NDP, commit ourselves to building a future where Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people can live safely, free from violence and discrimination."