October 4: National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples

On October 4, we recognize Sisters in Spirit Day and the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S+).

In 2019, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released. Drawing on the truths shared by more than 2,380 family members, survivors, experts and Knowledge Keepers, the report found that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are at the root of the disproportionate violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The report issued 231 Calls for Justice, directed not only at governments but also institutions, service providers, industries and all Canadians.

The need for continued action remains urgent. Federal reporting indicates that, as of June 2025, only two Calls for Justice had been fully completed, with many others still underway or pending.

We encourage members of our Durham College (DC) community to take time on this important day to honour those who have been lost or remain missing, stand with families and survivors, and learn more about the systemic, racial and societal causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.

Here are some tangible actions you can take:

• Read Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and learn about the 231 Calls for Justice.
• Hang a red dress in your window, on your porch or in another visible place as an act of remembrance and awareness. Learn about artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, which uses empty red dresses to represent and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and draw attention to gendered and racialized violence.
• Listen to and amplify the voices of Indigenous families, survivors, advocates and organizations working to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.
• Share resources and information about MMIWG2S+ with your networks to help build awareness and encourage action.

On October 4, and throughout the year, we encourage the DC community to remember, learn, listen and act as we work together toward safer, more equitable communities.