Statement from the Yukon Advisory Committee on 5th anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The Yukon Advisory Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People has issued the following statement:  

“Today we mark the five-year anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“First and foremost, on June 3rd we honour the families and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people. Their contributions and testimonies played an instrumental role in shaping the final report’s 231 calls for justice. Through sharing their personal stories of loss, they illuminated the pervasive issues of violence and discrimination faced by Indigenous communities. Families and survivors transformed their grief into action, compelling policymakers and society at large to confront historical injustices and commit to creating a safer and more equitable future for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people.

“The significance of their contributions, their resilience and dedication, demands action and their voices continue to push all governments for accountability and systemic change.

“Today our committee reaffirms our commitment to furthering the Yukon’s progress on the report’s calls for justice, as well as realizing the Implementation Plan for Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity and Justice: Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People Strategy.

“We know the path ahead is a long one – it will take many years to truly achieve a Yukon that uplifts the dignity and justice of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people. It will also take many different organizations working together on a collaborative approach to systemic change.

“We also recognize that many partners are only just beginning their work under the Yukon strategy’s implementation plan. But while we recognize that the strategy’s many partners are all in the early days of a 15-year implementation plan, we are also pleased to see the foundational work that is happening.

“We are also pleased to share progress on our committee’s own work under the implementation plan. Since the release of the Yukon’s implementation plan in June 2023, our committee has held a technical forum and an accountability forum. We also continue to hold discussions with the Strategy’s many partners – fostering connections, clarifying responsibilities and discussing needs and opportunities for support.

“We also continue to reach out to additional signatories to support implementation and work towards updating our committee’s structure so that we are in the best position going forward to support the Yukon strategy’s many partners in their work, while also ensuring accountability for families and survivors.

“On this five-year anniversary of the release of the final report, we continue to have hope for a better future – knowing that through a whole-of-Yukon approach we can make the Yukon a safer place for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people."