On May 5, we honour the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People + (MMIWG2S+). This is a solemn and powerful day to remember those who are missing, those whose lives were taken, and the families and communities left to grieve and advocate for justice.

This day is also a reminder of our collective responsibility—especially as healthcare professionals—to take meaningful action toward truth, accountability, and safety for Indigenous Peoples. The crisis of MMIWG2S+ is not only a reflection of gender-based violence, but of long-standing systemic failures—including in our healthcare systems.   

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ includes healthcare-specific Calls for Justice.
As staff of the Northern Health Region, we must be aware of and actively work to implement these Calls:

Calls for Justice for Health and Wellness:

3.1 Ensure the health and wellness rights of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are recognized and protected equally.

3.2 Fund and support Indigenous-led, culturally grounded health services that are accessible, meet community needs, and reduce the need for people to leave their communities for care.

3.3 Support Indigenous communities to create community-based, trauma-informed programs for survivors of violence—guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

3.4 Provide Indigenous communities with immediate and ongoing access to mental health, addictions, and trauma supports. Services must be barrier-free, holistic, and include mobile crisis and recovery teams.

3.5 Create crisis response teams in every region to provide culturally competent care after traumatic events (such as violence, murder, or accidents), and ensure families receive ongoing support.

3.6 Ensure equal, stable, and long-term funding for Indigenous-run health services. Avoid jurisdictional disputes that delay care and guarantee services regardless of where people live or their status.

3.7 Fund long-term healing programs for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. These programs should be community-led, well-funded, and accessible across all nations.

These are not just recommendations—they are calls to action and accountability.

What you can do today:

• Wear red to show solidarity and raise awareness.
• Take a moment of silence to honour the lives lost and the loved ones still waiting for answers.
• Read and reflect on the Calls for Justice and how they apply to your role.
• Reflect on your own practice role and identify one concrete way you can help create safer, more culturally responsive spaces for Indigenous patients, families, and staff.

Let us move beyond awareness and into action. Healing and justice are possible when we listen deeply, act intentionally, and remain committed to the path of reconciliation.