SCO Marks Seven Years Since the National Inquiry’s Final Report on MMIWG
Press Release
June 3, 2026
“The Calls for Justice are not recommendations; they are legal obligations rooted in human rights. Seven years later, the urgency remains. We owe it to the families, Survivors, and future generations to turn words into action.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) marks seven years since the release of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The report concluded that the violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people amounts to genocide.
The report outlines 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, industries, and all Canadians. While the report was released 7 years ago on June 3, 2019, SCO notes that significant gaps remain in the implementation of the Calls for Justice. First Nations women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people continue to face disproportionately high rates of violence, exploitation, and disappearance.
“Today we honour the lives of the women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people who have been taken from their families and Nations, while recognizing that far too many of the Calls for Justice remain unmet. The safety and well-being of our people cannot wait,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “First Nations women have always been leaders, Knowledge Keepers, and protectors within their Nations. Their strength, resilience, and advocacy continue to drive the work of creating safer communities and a better future for generations to come.”
“As we mark this anniversary, we must also look ahead and ensure this important work continues,” said Chief Tréchelle Bunn of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. “Our women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse relatives deserve to live in safety and dignity. It is critical that governments provide stable, long-term funding for First Nations-led programs and initiatives that support healing, prevention, and community safety. Sustained investment is essential to creating lasting change and helping keep our Nations strong.”
SCO recognizes the work being done by Indigenous-led organizations and advocate to advance solutions. One example is the ongoing development of a Red Dress Alert system led by Giganawenimaanaanig, an emergency alert designed to help find missing Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people. The initiative has progressed through extensive community engagement and now aims to finalize the infrastructure needed to integrate the Red Dress Alert into existing provincial and national emergency communication systems.
SCO’s MMIWG2S+ Support Program has developed and delivered youth-focused presentations that help young people recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and learn how to support friends who may be experiencing violence or abuse. These presentations serve as a preventative tool, empowering youth with knowledge, awareness, and practical resources.
SCO continues to advocate for increased investments in culturally safe supports, violence prevention, Survivor services, housing, mental health resources, and community-based programs that address the root causes of violence. Lasting change requires sustained government commitments that provide organizations with the resources necessary to plan, deliver, and expand these essential services.
On this anniversary, SCO calls on all levels of government to renew their commitment to reconciliation by accelerating implementation of the Calls for Justice and ensuring Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people can live safely and with dignity. This includes providing predictable, stable funding that empowers our Nations to lead solutions grounded in their own knowledge, cultures, and priorities.
“The Calls for Justice are not recommendations; they are legal obligations rooted in human rights,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “Seven years later, the urgency remains. We owe it to the families, Survivors, and future generations to turn words into action and ensure the resources are in place to create meaningful, lasting change.”
SCO has books outlining the 231 Calls for Justice, tote bags, and safety whistles available to the public at no charge. To pick up any of these items, visit either of SCO’s offices at 1572 Dublin Avenue or at 200-600 Empress Street in Winnipeg. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Dublin office is closed for lunch between 12 to 1 pm.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca
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