The Manitoba government is launching a $15 million charity fund for MMIWG2S families

Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) can expect more financial support from the Manitoba government as part of a new charity announced Sunday.

In partnership with the Winnipeg Foundation, the provincial government is investing $15 million to create the MMIWG2S Healing and Empowerment Endowment Fund, which aims to help bereaved families get the care they need.

“This charity will also help support Indigenous-led and front-line organizations working with MMIWG2S families,” said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine.

Fontaine said his goal is to see the fund reach $50 million, which he hopes will include donations from the public as well as corporate organizations and businesses across Canada.

“Anyone who says they believe in reconciliation, that they're on the path to reconciliation, that's an act,” Fontaine said. “Invest in an endowment fund.”

Fontaine also said the fund would be available to families regardless of the minister responsible or the government in power.

“In 2016, when the government changed, all the work that the former NDP and I had done as a special adviser, all the work that we were working on, fell by the wayside,” Fontaine said. “We need to put the infrastructure in place so that no matter what the political situation is, the tides are changing, no matter what, those resources and supports are still there for families.”

The announcement was one of several events planned for National Red Shirt Day – a day to recognize and remember MMIWG2S, celebrated annually on May 5.

Dozens of people gathered at Oodena Circle in downtown Winnipeg to drum, sing and pray.

While Manitoba Chiefs Assembly Chief Cathy Merrick welcomed the community's support, she called for more to be done to help people get their loved ones home.

“We need justice for women,” she said.