Speech — Third national Summit of the MMIWG2s+ Urban Indigenous Action Group

Press Release

May 4, 2026

Check against delivery

I’m grateful to be able to join you, however briefly, to acknowledge the critical work you are doing to address a complex crisis that has affected Indigenous communities for far too long. I hope you will forgive me for having to depart shortly after my remarks.

This morning, as Elders were lighting the qulliq, I couldn’t help but think about Inuit women and girls—the traditional keepers of the qulliq flame.

I also thought about Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people, who have long carried responsibilities of kinship and cultural continuity.

In communities like the one where I grew up, in Nunavik, these individuals are the heart of the family and the keepers of culture.

When one is taken, a pillar of the community collapses.

Every day, Indigenous communities mourn the loss of sisters, mothers, loved ones and children who have gone missing—or whose lives have been violently cut short or forever changed.

It is encouraging to see so much work like yours under way across the country.

Work to make communities safer.

To improve emergency services and access to safe housing.

To bring justice to survivors. To combat human trafficking.

And to dismantle the long‑standing racism, sexism and discrimination at the root of this crisis.

Lasting change requires more than small adjustments.

I am seeing a growing understanding that, to truly help survivors and prevent further violence and abuse, we need more than one plan, one individual or one institution acting alone.

We need sustained commitment—from all levels of government, across health, justice and education systems, and from people across Canada—to fully carry out the National Action Plan and the Calls for Justice.

But more than anything, we need a deeper shift in our collective mindset—a shift to put survivors and families at the centre of everything we do.

And your work is already showing the benefits of that shift.

You are listening to survivors and families.

You are creating safe, cultural spaces where survivors can find help and understanding.

And you are ensuring that their experiences and advice shape today’s priorities.

For this, I want to thank you.

Real change begins when people feel heard.

And from there, hope gives them wings.

Despite their grief, and despite the pain and injustices they continue to face, survivors and families are raising their voices.

They are telling us what is needed to support healing and to protect those most at risk.

I recently learned about an example of what can happen when Indigenous voices are heard.

As you know, for many years, communities have raised concerns about the safety risks linked to industrial work camps.

Too often, workers from these camps have brought disrespect, sexual harassment and violence into nearby Indigenous communities.

That is why two of the Calls for Justice are for extractive and development industries to highlight the importance of safety measures around major resource projects. We want to ensure that progress never comes at the cost of human security.

This need is especially urgent in Arctic communities, as development investments increase across the region.

One business, Woodfibre LNG, chose to listen—and to act—ahead of a major project in British Columbia, on the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation.

They listened to the concerns of the community and acted responsibly.

Together with the Squamish Nation, they decided to do things differently.

They developed a gender and cultural safety plan—a first‑of‑its‑kind initiative for a major industrial project in Canada.

A plan that puts the safety of Indigenous women and girls at its centre.

They chose to house workers outside the community, in two floating hotels—responding directly to what they had been told.

They committed to in‑person cultural awareness and gender‑safety training, led by Indigenous trainers.

They required every worker to sign a code of conduct, with clear expectations around respectful behaviour and safety, and zero tolerance for violence or harassment.

And they offered personal safety training for women and girls in the community, to reduce vulnerability and strengthen confidence.

This kind of leadership fills me with hope.

It shows that when Indigenous voices are truly heard—and taken seriously—we make communities safer.

We help prevent harm and violence before it happens.

And we inspire others to follow suit.

Tomorrow, we will commemorate Red Dress Day across Canada.

We will honour the women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people who are missing, who were murdered, and who are still waiting for justice.

And while progress is too slow, and challenges remain many, let us remember this:

Change is possible.

And the work you do today is means fewer red dresses are added tomorrow.

Survivors and families, please continue to make your voices heard.

And everyone here: please continue to lead with courage, and to turn remembrance into action.

ILR5