National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People – May 5
Caution: Please consider preparing your mind and heart before reading the following statement.
Unidentified Woman in a Red Dress
The Indigenous Educational Wellness team, in friendship with HWDSB, release the following statement to create awareness and understanding. Our intentions are to (first) protect those who have been personally affected, from further harm. Also, it is imperative that, as treaty partners the message is connected to creating and providing a safe path to continuing our journey forward and together.
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, [Transgender] and Two Spirit+ (MMIWGT2S+). We commemorate the losses that too many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island have and continue to experience, suffer, and heal from.
May 5 is also the next full moon. In many Indigenous nations, the teachings of Grandmother Moon teach that she protects the waters and provides the guidance for us to know when to plant in the spring and when to harvest in the fall. She also decides when new babies will be born. Grandmother Moon represents the eternal promise of new life on Mother Earth.
The juxtaposition of life and loss, celebration and commemoration regarding what May 5 represents this year, might provide some light on our continuing path. We remember those who were stolen from our families and communities and continue to seek justice. 
This year, on this date, we also look forward to the approaching faces.
We pray for the health, safety and prosperity of the girls, women, and Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ in all communities. We promise to protect you. To guide you with love and respect. We will support you when you set life goals, so you know that your sacredness is honored. We promise to help create those safe boundaries by respecting you, so that you will grow with confidence, and you are able to walk upon Mother Earth without fear. To all the girls, women, and Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ in our lives.
Crisis numbers:
- Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA) Crisis Line: 905-525-4162
- Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868
- Kids Help Phone Text HOME to: 686868
- Indigenous Call Centre: 905-549-4884 ext. 1
- Native Women’s Centre: 905-664-1114
- Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST): 906-972-8338 or toll free: 1-844-972-8338
- Good2Talk Helpline for College/University Students: 1-866-925-5454
Updated on Thursday, May 04, 2023.