Activist Culture

The conversation of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in this country is one that receives very little attention. If it weren’t for the persistence of the activists and protestors fighting for a voice each day, this topic would be far less talked about than it already is. From celebrities to families of the victims, to everyone in between, Canadians are beginning to rally together more and more in order to bring maximum attention to the cause. Due to the general lack of media coverage on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls throughout the country, activists work daily on different projects and protests in order to get their message heard. From powerful visual stances such as The Faceless Doll Project, and REDress Project, to annual marches across Canada, the variety of groups and organizations fighting for a change are growing everyday.

ACTIVIST MOVEMENTS

WOMENS MEMORIAL MARCH

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The annual Women’s Memorial March has taken place in Vancouver every 14th of February, since 1991. Thousands of men and women take part in the event to honour each woman who has gone missing, or has been treated violently in any sense. They mourn and remember the ones they lost, chanting, singing and performing various spiritual ceremonies throughout the event.

The march was created in response to the murder of a woman who’s name is not spoken of, out of respect for the family.

Each year before the march, the organization reaches out to the community, demonstrating their appreciation to all contributions and supporters willing to lend their voice to the cause.

Click the image to learn more about Womens Memorial March

NO MORE SILENCE

No More Silence is a Canadian organization focused on breaking the social media silence surrounding the missing indigenous women and girls.

They are partnered with Families of Sisters in Spirit, as well as, Native Youth Sexual Health Network due to their mutual concern about violence against women. Click the images to find out more about each organization.

Much of their work goes towards bringing justice and protection to the women and girls deemed not worthy.

1,181 INUKSHUKS

Marches and protests are only the beginning of the activists' efforts to increase awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. Many activist groups seek new and inventive ways to send out their message while also attracting some sort of attention from the media.

Kristen Villebrun (left), and team member Wendy Bush

"I thought it was a great idea to do an art installation like this instead of blocking a road.” - Kristen Villebrun

In 2015, Kristen Villebrun began building little Inukshuks along a hiking trail in Hamilton, ON. Her efforts went a long way as word of her plan spread.

Her team grew to 10 people, building the sculptures for 6 hours a day, until they had 1,181 - one to represent the lives of each missing and murdered indigenous woman.

Work Cited

(1) "Missing and murdered Indigenous women." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Apr. 2017. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

(2) "Feb 14th Annual Womens Memorial March." Feb 14th Annual Womens Memorial March. N.p., 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(3) Smith, Charlie. "Vancouver activist calls upon feds to consult with women's groups about indigenous-women's inquiry." Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. The Georgia Straight, 24 Dec. 2016. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(4) Carter, Adam. "Missing, murdered aboriginal women remembered with 1,181 inukshuks." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 05 Nov. 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

(5) NoMoreSilence. "No More Silence." No More Silence. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(6) Lannon, Valerie. "Justice for Indigenous women: an interview with activist Wanda Whitebird." Socialist.ca. Socialist.ca, 6 June 2014. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(7) Rose. "February 14th Women's Memorial March - Vancouver." Remember Our Sisters Everywhere. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(8) Huntley, Audrey. "No more silence: Breaking one of Canada's best kept secrets." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(9) "No More Silence: Panel discussion on murdered and missing aboriginal women." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 26 June 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

(10) Hargreaves, Allison. Violence against Indigenous women: Literature, activism, resistance. Ann Arbor, United States: The University of Western Ontario, 2011.

(11) Hunter, Anna. The Violence that Indigenous Women Face. Winnipeg, Canada: Canada Dimension. 2005.

(12) Frederico, Amanda. Memorializing Individuals, Seeking Justice for Communities: The Epidemic of Systemic Violence Against Indigenous Peoples and the Role of Art and Public Response in Bringing About Social Change. Ann Arbor, United States: East Carolina University. 2016.