As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we must acknowledge that for many Indigenous communities, this day is about celebrating achievements and recognizing the ongoing struggle for justice, safety and dignity. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse people (MMIWG2S+) extends beyond national borders – it is a global human rights issue demanding urgent action.
Canada’s National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ estimated that between 4,000 to 6,000 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered in recent decades. Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-Indigenous women. Yet, their cases are often ignored or under-investigated due to systemic racism within the justice system. The crisis also extends to Indigenous men and boys, who are increasingly being recognized as part of this national emergency.
Chelsea Olar is a USW National Indigenous Committee member, Women of Steel co-chair, and Women’s Welfare Committee chair for Local 2251 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. She delivered a powerful speech last year in Pittsburgh for the International Women’s Conference emphasizing the urgency of this crisis. In her words: “This isn’t an issue of the past. It continues to happen today.”
Olar shared statistics and personal stories, highlighting how unions like the United Steelworkers (USW) can drive a meaningful change within their labour community. Olar described the systematic injustices that Indigenous victims face. “When Indigenous women are murdered, it is typically processed as second-degree murder compared to non-Indigenous cases where it is first-degree murder,” said Olar.
Olar calls attention to the broader pattern of how Indigenous lives are undervalued within the justice system and the labour movement. Unions, including the USW, must be critical in demanding change. Through advocacy, education and policy action, unions can help dismantle the structures that allow these injustices to persist.
The USW has been at the forefront of this fight, contributing to the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s monitoring efforts, creating a National Inquiry Co-ordinator position and ensuring that resolutions addressing MMIWG2S+ are part of a union policy.
Solidarity means acting. There are initiatives members can take to support the Indigenous communities:
- Attend Women’s Memorial Marches on Feb. 14.
- Wear red on May 5, National Red Dress Day, to honour and remember victims.
- Advocate for policies that protect Indigenous workers from workplace violence.
- Lobby for implementing a National Red Dress Alert system, similar to Amber Alerts, for missing Indigenous persons.
- Ensure our workplaces and communities are safe spaces where Indigenous voices are heard and respected.
Another way to raise awareness is by wearing a red dress pin. A red dress pin sparks conversations and raises awareness about MMIWG2S+. These can be homemade with felt and a safety pin at little cost, or supporters can reach out to their locals to see if they have any red dress pins to use.
“The fight for justice is ongoing, but through collective action, we can be the change that ensures Indigenous lives are no longer treated as expendable,” said Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director.
International Women’s Day is a moment of reflection and resistance. As Chelsea Olar said, “We as a union can stand up in solidarity, raise awareness on this crisis and do what we can to support our Indigenous members, communities and people by putting an end to this.” Each missing person is someone’s loved one, a community member, a friend and, in many cases, a fellow Steelworker. We must stand together in solidarity to end this crisis.
The fight for justice is ongoing, but through collective action, we can be the change that ensures Indigenous lives are no longer treated as expendable.
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