Join a March! Honour, remember #MMIWG February 13, 2014 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email Naomi Sayers, Vice-President (Women) – On February 14, 2014, marches and gatherings will take place across the country to honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and their families. This year will also mark the 23rd anniversary of the initial march which first commenced in downtown Vancouver’s East Side in 1991. The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission writes this post in support of this day and to honour and remember #MMIWG. Since these marches were first initiated, the Liberal Party has remained committed to supporting the efforts of those groups who work closely with families and friends of #MMIWG. It was a Liberal government which first committed $5 million to the Sisters in Spirit project. However on November 3, 2011, the Harper government announced that Sisters in Spirit initiatives would no longer receive funding. Stephen Harper and his Conservative government have continued to remain silent on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls – even as all Premiers across Canada joined in the call for a national inquiry. In the days following February 14, 2014, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission will conduct our Biennial Convention. At this convention, we will host a discussion panel that includes Bridget Tolley, co-founder of Families of Sisters in Spirit– a local organization dedicated to supporting the families of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She will speak to the issues relating to the #MMIWG. Additionally, I have drafted a resolution calling for direct action relating to MMIWG in time for the 2014 Biennial Convention. The APC continues to ensure that issues and concerns relating to Indigenous peoples, especially Indigenous women and girls, are vocalized and secure representation from those who work directly with communities. The Aboriginal Peoples Commission and the Liberal Party of Canada are committed to a national inquiry on this national tragedy and we encourage all Canadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to honour and remember all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls this February 14, 2014. *Note 1: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of and/or official policy of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission and/or the Liberal Party of Canada* *Note 2: The blog was published in the language it was received*