The Indigenous Environmental Network expresses our solidarity with Indigenous families in Winnipeg and across Turtle Island impacted by the recent serial murders of Indigenous women in so-called Canada, Treaty No. 1 Territory. We join the outcry of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and around the world, demanding justice for the Indigenous relatives that have been murdered or are missing since the onslaught of colonialism, patriarchy, and white supremacy on our lands and territories. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Mercedes Myran, Morgan Harris, Rebecca Contois, and the unidentified 4th victim, who is currently being referred to as “Buffalo Woman.”

The MMIWG2S+ crisis has a direct correlation to the extractive industries that have invaded our Indigenous communities, including the destruction they have waged against Indigenous lands, waters, and our homelands. Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirits are sacred– and hold vital roles and responsibilities in our communities as well as in the stewardship of our lands and precious ecosystems in our territories. Extractive industries view Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirits as a direct threat to their bottom line of profiting off of Indigenous lands, waters, and resources. Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirits are on the frontlines of protecting Indigenous lands from such extraction, and we must ensure their safety and well-being. 

The violence and genocide against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirits, relatives, and Mother Earth must end. We join Indigenous relatives above the medicine line in Canada and their demands for the Canadian government to provide immediate funding and resources to support the search of the four murdered Indigenous women. We join them in their demands and call on the Canadian government to declare a State of Emergency for the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people to provide resources to address the ongoing MMIWG2S+ epidemic.