Tree of Honour Ceremonies for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories hosted six Tree of Honour Ceremonies in each region of the territory.  Everyone was invited to attend these ceremonies and the intent of the ceremonies was to recognize and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, to pay tribute to families and friends who have lost loved ones, and to share information about relevant support services to aid in healing.

The ceremonies included speeches, tying ribbons onto a tree to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and local drummers. Support services were available during and immediately following the ceremony. Additional support services are noted at the bottom of this page.

Each ceremony was supported by an Elder Advisor and a Traditional Healer or Cultural Practitioner.

Below are the communities that hosted a Tree of Honour ceremony:

Behchokǫ̀ September 29 Aklavik September 29 Yellowknife October 1

Fort Simpson October 3 Hay River October 10 Norman Wells November 21

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 231 Calls for Justice

We cannot, nor should we, talk about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls without talking about the National Inquiry. The National Inquiry’s Truth Gathering process started in May 2017. 2386 people participated in the Truth Gathering Process, 15 Community Hearings were held – including one in Yellowknife and 9 Knowledge Keeper, Expert and Institutional Hearings were held – including one in Calgary that NWT representatives participated in. The Truth Gathering Process informed the resulting 231 Calls for Justice outlined in the Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, which was presented to the Prime Minister during the Final Inquiry’s closing ceremony in June 2019; a ceremony attended by our Premier and broadcast live across Canada.

The 231 Calls for Justice require a commitment to permanently addressing the four pathways that maintain colonial violence; these pathways are as follows:

o   historical, multi-generational, and inter-generational trauma;

o   social and economic marginalization;

o   maintaining the status quo and institutional lack of will; and

o   ignoring the agency and expertise of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

The 231 Calls for Justice explain Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Culture, Health, Security, and Justice. They clearly identify the need for a new framework – a new approach and new solutions to ending violence– one that is grounded in relationships, Indigenous rights and principles, accountability, decolonization, and self-determination – all of which are rooted in respect, reciprocity and interconnectedness.

We encourage everyone to read the Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, as the Calls for Justice apply to all governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and to all Canadians. We want to highlight eight (8) the Calls for Justice for All Canadians:

“As this report has shown, and within every encounter, each person has a role to play in order to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Beyond those Calls aimed at governments or at specific industries or service providers, we encourage every Canadian to consider how they can give life to these Calls for Justice. We call on all Canadians to:

15.1 Denounce and speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

15.2 Decolonize by learning the true history of Canada and Indigenous history in your local area. Learn about and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ history, cultures, pride, and diversity, acknowledging the land you live on and its importance to local Indigenous communities, both historically and today.

15.3 Develop knowledge and read the Final Report. Listen to the truths shared, and acknowledge the burden of these human and Indigenous rights violations, and how they impact Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people today.

15.4 Using what you have learned and some of the resources suggested, become a strong ally. Being a strong ally involves more than just tolerance; it means actively working to break down barriers and to support others in every relationship and encounter in which you participate.

15.5 Confront and speak out against racism, sexism, ignorance, homophobia, and transphobia, and teach or encourage others to do the same, wherever it occurs: in your home, in your workplace, or in social settings.

15.6 Protect, support, and promote the safety of women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people by acknowledging and respecting the value of every person and every community, as well as the right of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people to generate their own, self-determined solutions.

15.7 Create time and space for relationships based on respect as human beings, supporting and embracing differences with kindness, love, and respect. Learn about Indigenous principles of relationship specific to those Nations or communities in your local area and work, and put them into practice in all of your relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

15.8 Help hold all governments accountable to act on the Calls for Justice, and to implement them according to the important principles we set out.”

(Source: Reclaiming Power and Place)

Follow this link to learn more about the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 231 Calls for Justice. We encourage you to read their final report and be part of the change.

Support services

Family Information Liaison Units

Questions about a missing and murdered loved one can be directed to Family Information Liaison Units. Families of MMIWG receive information from government agencies and specialized services that include child protective services, social services, health services, and the justice system. Phone:  1-867-444-2263 or 1-867-445-2262 (collect calls are accepted) E-mail:   filu@gov.nt.ca

The Native Women’s Association of the NWT delivers support services to individuals impacted by MMIWG. Phone: 1-867-873-5509 ext. 224 E-mail: familysupportfslu@nativewomens.com

National Support Line for MMIWG
This is a national, toll-free crisis line available to anyone requiring emotional assistance related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone:   1-844-413-6649

Hope for Wellness Help Line

Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors are available to Indigenous people across Canada 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone:   1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

Local Victim Services and Community Counselling also provide support services.

Thank you

We would like to thank the Government of Canada for funding these six (6) Tree of Honour Ceremonies for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in our territory.