(Scroll down to view the slideshow of our trip!)

Friday, December 27^th, 2024

My journey has begun!  The first leg of my trip begins here in Moncton, New Brunswick with a layover in Montreal and then arriving in Winnipeg to join Ruby Langan and Lenora Maracle on this incredible experience.

The goal of this trip is to pay homage to Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls, to connect with Indigenous communities and to gain more insights on challenges faced by Indigenous women of Winnipeg.

I have been invited to join this inspirational journey as UNE’s National Equity Representative for Women and I am proud and excited to be part of this taskforce.

We pledge to share what we learn with all of you!

XO

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I slept the entire way to Montreal, almost as if my body is aware and preparing for the heaviness that it is about to face.  Refueling here at the Pork and Pickle in the Airport, I feel like I will also sleep on my next flight.

As someone living with daily chronic pain, this journey is not an easy one for me to make but nothing will stop me from being apart of this.

Saturday, December 28^th, 2024

Unfortunately, Ruby’s plane was delayed significantly. She arrived at the hotel in the wee hours of the morning and so we will be delaying our day accordingly.

The plan today is to meet some insightful individuals for lunch at Forks before heading the Memorial Site of the MMIW.  I feel it is very important to prepare.  While I am excited for what is to come, I know that this learning will be very emotional and the topic, very sensitive and heavy. We are here to honor, respect and to learn.

I am going to meet Lenora for breakfast.  Let the mingling begin.

***

Lenora, and I were joined by our union sister Frances and the three of us sat in a circle and created bundles of sacred tobacco in red cloths as offerings for today and tomorrow.  Once Ruby joined us, we headed out to meet Manitoba Elder Barbara Nepinak.  We ate lunch together and then Barbara led us through the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  We observed many exhibitions including the Witness Blanket, Strength in Numbers, Indigenous Perspectives, the protection of human rights, Canada’s evolving legal framework such as the precedence of the Duty to accommodate the case of Tawney Meiorin, the turning points of humanity and the list goes on.  One could easily spend days in this museum. It succeeds in showing the atrocities lived, the battles fought, wars and fights, all that led to the Human rights gains that we are privileged with today.  One thing is clear, there is still much work to be done.

The museum showed that #Searchthelandfill campaign has gained ground and they have been able to narrow down the area where the remains of the victims may be recovered. Especially with the recent remains found at the Saskatchewan Landfill, this brings weight to the need to search the Prairie Green Landfill, and more importantly, to accept that these searches may be necessary no matter where you are from, the color of your skin, your economic class…families need closure.  Everyone deserves the same level of care and thought.

Feeling very overwhelmed, I found myself needing to leave this space.  The heat and nausea had become too much for me and I needed fresh air.  We took this opportunity to walk through the Forks Park, enjoying its beauty, the sparkling lights, the sculptures as well as sacred areas such as the Oodena Celebration Circle, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Memorial site.  We stopped at the memorial where we made a prayer, smudged and made an offering of tobacco near the red handprints painted on rounded stones, adding to the already charged moment.

Our last stop of the day was at the Forks Market where we perused a few shops including Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique and Manitobah.  I am the proud new owner of winter boots, Buffalo sage, art and a bracelet that I plan to gift my daughter when I return home.

***

Sitting in my hotel room now, quiet, and alone, I feel heavy with the weight of today but also feel infused with renewed hope and purpose.  Today was a deep, meaningful day of learning.

Sunday, December 29^th, 2024

Preparing for day 2 of this taskforce mission.  The plan today is to visit the Prairie Green Landfill site, healing lodge and the MMIW Mural.  If time permits, we may visit a women’s shelter.  I feel very excited for today but still feel heaviness in my heart.  Deep breaths.

***

Our day began with some more shopping for supplies that we will be donating to the homeless during our walk with Morgan’s Warriors.  Our next stop was at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Mural which is a painting that stands about fifteen stories high and depicts an Indigenous woman in a ceremonial outfit holding a feather high in the air with a full moon behind her.  The artist, Jeannie White Bird, is a member of the Rolling River First Nation and she named her mural Giizaagiigo, an Anishinaabemowin word meaning “you are loved”.   Ruby, Lenora, Frances and I smudged, offered a prayer and sacred tobacco at the site, awed by its majestic beauty.

We then drove to the Landfill site which is located in Stony Mountain on the outskirts of Winnipeg.  We drove past flat plains (my first site of them!) before turning down a long road leading us to the Healing Lodge which was unfortunately closed and would not open until the New Year. We still smudged, offered a prayer and sacred tobacco. The Healing Lodge sits right in front of the Landfill and is a space dedicated to grieving families of lost loved ones.  One grieving grandmother of the serial killer’s victim said:  the healing lodge will let her stay “close to my girl…this way, I can stay close and kind of keep an eye and watch”.  It is also a space for searchers to eat and rest while they do their work.

On our way back, we visited a special place called Sunshine House. This place is a drop-in and resource center who focuses on harm reduction and social inclusion.  It is a safe space for people to stop and get warm, have a bite to eat, change clothes, have a shower, etc.  They offer STD rapid tests. They alert the community when they are made aware of the circulation of dangerous drugs and offer many other programs.  They have a focus on the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, as well as Indigenous communities but are open to all. They also have a Mobile Overdose Prevention Site for those struggling with addictions.  We asked them how we, as a union and activists, can learn from them, can do for them and we have set up a follow up for June of this year.  Hopefully a second site visit.

For supper, we stopped to get a bite to eat at this fantastic little restaurant named Manoomin within the Indigenous-owned Wyndham Garden Hotel which sits on the Long Plain First Nation. The food was amazing.  I had my first taste of Bison meat which was delicious.  During our meal, we discussed the importance of Indigenous-owned businesses and how we need to continue to support them and how we can do that.  Ruby, Lenora, Frances and I thought that working on a resolution that would allow us to make use of Indigenous-owned businesses as an exception to pouring all of our funds into union-based businesses would be a great start.  This would be added to our Taskforce’s mission.

With our bodies nourished and warmed up, we were ready to meet up with Morgan’s Warriors.  An Indigenous women-led outreach group founded by Melissa Robinson and Elle Harris to honor Morgan Harris’ memory (one of the Winnipeg Serial Killer’s victim, suspected to be in Prairie Green Landfill).  This group is rooted in love and profound commitment to her legacy and this volunteer group aims to address the unmet needs Morgan experienced while living on the streets of Winnipeg.  On top of bringing food and warm clothing to the homeless, the warriors also search and dispose of dirty needles, search boarded up abandoned houses to make sure no one is in distress in them.  They are also trained on administering Naloxone. We provided them with our donations of Kleenex, wipes, feminine products and Tim Horton’s gift cards as well as warm clothing.  Melissa and her husband Chris are involved in the search of the Prairie Green landfill and so we were able to gain more insight on challenges and progresses made.   These are incredible individuals doing incredible things.

Sadly, I had to leave before my sisters (Frances and Ruby) because I have to catch an early flight tomorrow morning. Tonight though, will stay with me forever.

Monday, December 30, 2024

Wake up time this morning is 4:30 AM.  Flight is set to take off at 7 AM.  If all goes well, I should be home by suppertime.

I feel blessed and grateful for the last few days.  I also feel very privileged for the life that I live and platform I have been given.  The work has only begun.

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, UNE’s National Executive Vice-President, Hayley Millington, was recognized for her work done with the PSAC’s Racially Visible Action Committee (RVAC) in the National Capital Region.

Hayley served as co-chair of the committee along with Carl Laguerre from 2014-15 and has continued over the years to be involved and offer mentorship to others.

“I’m very proud of the work achieved and the conversations we’ve had at these committees,” said Millington. “This has always been a safe place for me and I’m honoured to be recognized by such a fabulous group of activists.”

The meeting Thursday celebrated Human Rights Day (December 10) and was filled with a variety of speakers and performers, along with amazing food for all.

The Racially Visible Action Committee (RVAC) is made up of visible minority Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members who have come together to focus on the elimination of racism and to ensure a system free from discrimination as well as one that is committed to fairness and mutual respect.

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I asked several people what Human Rights Day meant to them.
This is what they spoke to me…….

Human Rights Day
(OBLIVION)

ask people what it means,
I wonder what they’d say?
would they know,
or understand?
is it just another day?

Oblivious to our privilege,
Scurrying between this and that.
Not a worry to worry,
It seems.
Basic needs, all met.

There are those that know none of this;
They are oblivious to privilege too.
Their focus is consumed by basic need.
What will it take today?
What will they have to do?

They have a right to life,
But safety is not guaranteed.
They have a right to dignity,
But they seldom get what they need.
Too many rights are a distant dream,
wasting energy on those, futile.
Focus is on what is needed,
As life shrinks around that.

human rights
what are they?
and are they afforded to all?
are they given?
are they granted?
are they something one can bestow?
Then by what authority are they so routinely taken,
Withheld from so many?

no really, I’m asking.
what are they?
I’d really like to know.

Michael Freeman
UNE National Vice-President for Human Rights

On December 6^th, 1989, 14 young women from Polytechnique Montréal, were massacred in an act of violent misogyny.  In 1991, Parliament established this day of mourning (December 6^th) as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women which is informally known as White Ribbon Day. 

On this day, we remember and take a moment to honour those who lost their lives to gender-based violence:

• Geneviève Bergeron
• Hélène Colgan
• Nathalie Croteau
• Barbara Daigneault
• Anne-Marie Edward
• Maud Haviernick
• Maryse Laganière
• Maryse LeClair
• Anne-Marie Lemay
• Sonia Pelletier
• Michèle Richard
• Annie St. Arneault
• Annie Turcotte
• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz

Gender-based violence remains prominent world-wide.  The latest report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Women shows that femicide is rising around the world.  This type of violence disproportionately impacts those with multiple intersection grounds of oppression.  For example, Indigenous women are six times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women. 

Much more needs to be done to prevent violence against women, to stop its escalation and provide adequate services to survivors and punish perpetrators.

Actions you can take:

• Wear a white ribbon
• Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 AM
• Attend a vigil in our community
• Share a National Day of Remembrance Post
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (From November 25^th to December 10^th) and use the #16Days
  • End Impunity by holding perpetrators accountable and establishing zero tolerance of violence against women and girls
  • Adopt, implement and fund National Action Plans to end violence against women and girls
  • Invest in prevention and women’s rights organizations to ensure rights and access to essential services for survivors
• Learn more about gender-based violence:
  • 16 ways to end gender-based violence
  • Attend an event in your community to show your support to victims and survivors
  • Consider donating to a local shelter

This is a day to reflect on violence against women in our society.  It is a day on which communities and individuals can come together, speak out, and take action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. We must remain committed to a future without violence against women.

Mireille Jaillet
UNE National Equity Representative for Women

By Mireille Jaillet

A woman is killed every ten minutes, Shame!
This is a reality of this world, who is to blame?
Violence against women and girls is on the rise worldwide
So many are left unheard, forced into silence, forced to hide.

November 25 – A day chosen to observe and remember
Three Mirabal sisters slain by their leader.
Like for so many, there were no protections.
No protections for girls forced into genital mutilations.

Or even for those who suffer from abusive intimate partners.
As if she has no worth, as if nothing she does ever matters.
Sexual harassment & violence is a problem everywhere.
As is Human Trafficking, it’s a damn nightmare.

What can we say about all this abuse.
There is simply no acceptable Excuse
What can we do to fight this violence against women and girls?
We can increase their access to education around the world.

We can donate funds, provide these women with access to money
Allowing them to move forth with their freeing journey.
Including them in decision-making, offering them a seat at the table
Engaging allies to support them and remove obstacles

We need to speak out, reach out, get involved and do what we must
And together we can empower a world to be far more just.

Mireille Jaillet is the UNE National Equity Representative for Women.

By Danielle Palmer

Transgender Day of Remembrance is on November 20, 2024. It is an annual tradition that began in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith. It is a vigil to honour the memory of transgender people lost to anti-transgender violence, started after the murder of Rita Hester, a black, transgender woman murdered in 1998.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”

– Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith

(https://www.huffpost.com/entry/transgender-day-of-remembrance-why-we-remember_b_2166234)

With rising anti-trans hate and increasing anti-trans legislation being introduced, it’s important to show up for our 2SLBTQ+ family, friends, fellow workers and community members.

Please take the time to find and attend a Transgender Day of Remembrance in your community on November 20. Your solidarity and support is needed.

You Can Also Honour Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) by:

1. Showing Up to Events: Go to local TDOR gatherings, candlelight vigils, and memorials. It’s a way to stand with the transgender community, remember those we’ve lost, and show up in solidarity. Go to your local Pride events year round!
2. Sharing Trans Stories: Whether it’s a personal story or one that moved you, share experiences that shed light on the struggles transgender folks face and why acceptance really matters.
3. Support Transgender Organizations: If you’re able, contribute to groups providing vital services like healthcare, mental health support, and advocacy for trans rights. Every bit helps.
4. Speak Up for Change: Advocate for policies that protect transgender people from discrimination and promote safety and inclusion.
5. Lift Up Trans Voices: Use your social media or any platform to amplify the voices of transgender advocates and activists. Sharing their work and insights can really make an impact.
6. Learn and Educate: Keep learning about transgender issues, terms, and how we can respect and support people’s gender identities—and encourage others to do the same.

Danielle Palmer is the UNE’s National Equity Representative for 2SLGBTQ+ People