Montrealers marched in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and two-spirit people

Montrealers are gathering in Cabot Square on Wednesday for a memorial march to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and bi-spirited people. Many mourners shared their stories as Montreal police and the provincial and federal governments were called to action.

The parade was organized by Project Iskweu, a Montreal-based women's shelter initiative, responding to the needs of families in the event of a missing local woman or girl, trans or bi-spirit.

Iskweu Project Research Coordinator Yanis Kawavauk-Bibeau said: “Daily violence against Indigenous women is on the rise,” adding, “We deserve to feel safe and have the same opportunities as any other Canadian. It is important to solve these problems effectively.”

According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women make up 16% of all homicide victims in Canada and 11% of missing women, even though they make up 4.3% of the population.

Project Iskweu is currently working on behalf of Alasi Tukkiapik, 41, whose body was found in the home of Nicodemo and his brother Francesco Sansalone in September 2023, police said. He has been missing for several months.

The project calls for adequate funding and access to violence prevention services for Indigenous women, girls, trans and bi-spirited people.