Fifth anniversary report on progress to end the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People

Press Release

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

June 3, 2026

Taking care

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line provides free and confidential support to any person in Canada impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.  The toll-free line is available 24/7 at 1-844-413-6649.

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.

On this day, the Government of Canada is releasing the 2025-26 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report. It is a moment to reflect on progress made while recognizing the important work that continues, guided by Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, survivors and families through trauma-informed and Indigenous-led solutions.

The 2025–26 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report highlights federal efforts across several themes, including culture, health and wellness, human safety and security, and justice. Here are some examples of progress made over the past year:

• 163 Calls for Justice were advanced through 171 initiatives led by 28 federal departments and agencies.
• 38 partnerships were established with urban Indigenous organizations to expand culturally safe registration services at 65 service points through the Trusted Source program to overcome barriers preventing access to essential services and benefits linked to registration.
• 33 projects were delivered through the Supporting Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations program to create opportunities to empower and engage Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in decision-making processes that impact their lives.
• Funding for new Indigenous-led shelters and transition homes through the Family Violence Prevention Program to support awareness activities for Indigenous people facing gender-based violence and to help respond to violence and support prevention before risks escalate.
• Investments were made in Indigenous storytelling through the Indigenous Screen Office, Changing Narratives Fund and Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting to increase Indigenous storytelling on screens and radio, as well as to support access to language and cultural content.
• Over 8,200 Indigenous households have gained high-speed Internet, promoting safety and connectivity.
• Stronger protections for victims were introduced through the Protecting Victims Act (Bill C-16). If passed, this bill would reform the Criminal Code to address gender‑based violence, including against Indigenous women and girls, drawing on recommendations and input from Indigenous partners as well as the Calls for Justice.
• Culturally grounded, trauma-informed support was offered to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people throughout Canada by helping them access all available information they are seeking about their loved ones from multiple government sources through Family Information Liaison Units.
• Cultural safety and anti-racism learning products and leadership programs were piloted through the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education to drive systemic change in medical education.
• Investments in Indigenous-led approaches through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence have shaped local and regional responses to address gender-based violence and enabled over 186,000 people to access culturally appropriate resources in 2024–2025.
• Over the past 5 years, Women and Gender Equality Canada has provided $55 million to more than 100 First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations across all provinces and territories to provide gender-based violence prevention programming aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Five years after releasing the National Action Plan, the Government of Canada continues its work to end this national crisis, alongside First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, other levels of government, institutions, and individuals in Canada.

Quotes

“This day is both an opportunity to recognize significant progress and a reminder of our collective responsibility to do more. The 2025–2026 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report demonstrates continued federal action and partnership with survivors, families, and communities to advance the Calls for Justice and support Indigenous-led solutions that improve safety, healing, and justice.”

The Honourable Rebecca Alty
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the National Action Plan, we honour the Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people whose lives have been taken, and the families who continue to carry this loss every day. While progress has been made, this crisis is far from over. We remain committed to advancing the Calls for Justice and supporting Indigenous-led solutions that help keep Indigenous people safe.”

The Honourable Mandy-Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Services

“The 2025–26 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report reflects continued efforts to support Indigenous‑led safety, healing, and prevention initiatives that make a real difference in communities, no matter how remote. This anniversary is also a powerful reminder that addressing violence requires sustained collaboration, both within the community and across the country, amplifying northern and Indigenous voices and getting behind solutions to affect change.”

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs

“Five years after the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People National Action Plan was launched, we know there is still urgent work ahead. Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, we are supporting Indigenous-led, culturally grounded initiatives that are strengthening prevention, healing, and community safety across Canada. We will continue working alongside Indigenous partners, survivors, families, provinces, and territories to end this crisis.”

The Honourable Rechie Valdez
Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

“We remain committed to partnering with Indigenous communities and organizations, law enforcement and all levels of government to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Through continued collaboration, we are advancing Indigenous‑led, culturally grounded approaches that contribute to a safer Canada for all communities.”

The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Public Safety

“Advancing justice for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people requires sustained action and accountability. We continue working to ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people are safe and can access the protections, support services and justice they deserve. Through continued collaboration and action, we are working to build a justice system that is more responsive, culturally informed, and equitable.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“As we mark five years since the National Action Plan, we recognize both the progress made and the urgent work that remains to end this ongoing crisis. Through investments in Indigenous storytelling, languages and cultural expression, we are amplifying Indigenous voices, challenging harmful narratives, and advancing the Calls for Justice in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.”

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

Quick facts

• The Federal Pathway is Canada’s contribution to the broader 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, survivors, families, Indigenous women’s organizations, and provincial and territorial governments in response to the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (National Inquiry).
• The National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice vary in shared responsibility:
  • 29 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon the federal government;
  • 186 Calls for Justice collectively call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments;
  • 6 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon provincial and territorial governments; and,
  • 10 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon non-government actors.
• The fourth annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People was held on February 11-12, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario. Topics included: combatting human trafficking, the Red Dress Alert pilot project in Manitoba, and creating stronger safety, prevention and mitigation measures to improve the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ in the context of major projects and other resource development projects.

Related products

• 2025-2026 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report

Associated links

• Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan
• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Alec Wilson
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Rebecca Alty
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
alec.wilson@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca

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