From: The Office of Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador

Today, Labrador MP, Yvonne Jones, reaffirms the government's unwavering commitment to addressing the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people. This profound issue continues to devastate Indigenous families and communities across the country, highlighting the urgent need for collective action and comprehensive solutions.

Key Messages:

Every day, Indigenous families and communities mourn their missing and murdered loved ones, tragically taken by the national crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people. This crisis is the direct result of more than a century of colonialism.

We will be there every step of the way with Indigenous grassroots service providers and women’s organizations, recognizing their crucial role in addressing this crisis at its roots.

We are redoubling our efforts to solve the national crisis of the missing and murdered for good. This includes addressing the root causes of violence through initiatives such as building new cell towers along the Highway of Tears, investing in shelters and transitional housing, supporting Indigenous police services, and funding long-term housing solutions.

Our vision is a violence-free, secure future for all Indigenous Peoples.

Red Dress Alert:

To combat this ongoing crisis, MP Yvonne Jones emphasizes the importance of implementing a Red Dress Alert system to notify the public when an Indigenous person goes missing. This system will significantly aid in locating missing individuals and ensuring their safe return.

Budget 2024 reflects the government's commitment to establishing a Red Dress Alert by providing additional funding to pilot a regional model. Furthermore, $20 million has been allocated to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two women, in partnership with the Government of Manitoba.

Together, we are building a future where all Indigenous peoples can live safely and free from violence.

Ways to Show Support:

MP Yvonne Jones encourages Canadians to show support by participating in Wear Red Day on May 5th, purchasing and wearing a red dress pin made by Indigenous artists, donating to organizations supporting Indigenous women and girls, and educating themselves about the issue through resources like the MMIWG National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice.

Labrador MP, Yvonne Jones, stands committed to advocating for Indigenous communities and working tirelessly to end the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people.

Associated Links:

- Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Safe Passages initiative

- MMIWG National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice

- The Artisanelle store at the Native Women's Association of Canada has Red Dress pins for purchase here