Today, we were honoured to be a part of today’s artwork unveiling at N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre to honour and acknowledge Red Dress Day, and to commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2-Spirit Peoples. This commissioned artwork was created by Kathryn Corbiere of One Kwe Modern Fabrications. We thank the Indigenous community for allowing us to be a part of this momentous occasion. group of people standing outside in front of art work

In 2015 prior to the National MMIWG Inquiry, GSPS proactively reached out to the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre to develop a collaborative partnership and expand upon the work that had already been done by the previous Indigenous Liaison Officer, Constable Grant Dokis (Retired) since the introduction of the role in 1999.

Much of our work since 2015 has been specifically guided through the very powerful partnership project, Looking Ahead to Build the Spirit of Our Women-Learning to Live Free from Violence. The project has been funded by Justice Canada since 2016 and is a partnership between the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre and the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS).

The Looking Ahead project focuses on providing proactive educational opportunities and information to our personnel, as well as, healing opportunities to community members with the ultimate goal of empowering community members to live free from violence. GSPS continues to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to gain insight on what service delivery should look like and through this vital input, we are well positioned to ensure our actions are led by the Indigenous community ensuring its authenticity and a grassroots approach.

Through the project, we have hosted three MMIWG2s+ conferences where family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls from across North America have been in attendance and provided powerful insight into their experiences. The focus of the conferences was healing and education with an emphasis on culture throughout the experience. We have heard from the family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2-Spirit Peoples and all those affected, that the families need to help lead and need their voices heard.

None of this tremendous work would have been accomplished without the support and dedication of Marie Meawasige, Lisa Osawamick, Shannon Agowissa and Juliette Wemigwans. We thank these women for being the driving forces behind this nationally known and recognized project.

Today and every day, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous community members and we remain committed to taking action.

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