An epidemic, an issue that has ravaged communities all over North American with no end in sight. Missing and murdered First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and Native American women and girls vanishing all over the country. According to a report produced in 2012, over 1,017 women and girls identified as having indigenous heritage were murdered between 1980 and 2012, a homicide rate 4.5 times higher than those of all other women in Canada.

In 2015, the United Nations reported that aboriginal women are close to five times more likely to die in violent circumstances, but despite numerous studies, special committees, and RCMP investigations there are still no clear solutions. With so many current ongoing investigations and active searches, this epidemic is growing rapidly and more time is needed to deal with this ever growing issue. This is a call for action. Canada as a country is being called to action to end the suffering of the missing women and families of the dead.

In september 2016, the Canadian government dropped nearly 54 million canadian dollars into the inquiry of the missing indigenous women and girls. The money dropped was going towards putting resources towards the epidemic. Since then although much has been done, those who put hope and strength into the epidemic ending were sadly mistaken. And the changes that they were promised were never fulfilled.

With rallies and walkouts all across Canada, people are beginning to take matters into their own hands. Petitions are being signed across the country as a battle cry for change. Most rallies and walk out are fighting to bring our girls home and change the future for the growing generations. All the efforts being put into these petitions and rallies are bringing to light the need for more funding and more help from the police and canadian government.

This issue isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an issue on a continental scale. Its for every man, women, and child. It is time to engage our communities and show our people the change that can be done. Thousands upon thousands of people have written in and made their way to parliament to help close the funding gap that will help ensure the safety and the supports of indigenous women who are fighting to escape the violence.

In october 2018, it marked the 14th anniversary since Amnesty International released, “Stolen Girls”. It has helped shine a light on the little known issue ravaging the country. October 4th has officially become a national day to mourn and commemorate the lives lost from the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, over the past decade the issue has become more prominent in the media as well as in government, and with the issue growing more and more we urge those to get involved and stay in the know about this issue. To keep up to date about the epidemic and what you can do to help please visit, https://www.amnesty.ca/category/campaign/no-more-stolen-sisters