My name is Reese Dyky and I am a student at Warman High School advocating for change.

For decades, indigenous  women and girls have faced a devastating ongoing human rights crisis. Hundreds, likely thousands, have gone missing or been murdered, yet too many of these cases have been ignored, under investigated, or left unsolved.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 1181 Indigenous women and girls were reported missing or murdered between 1980 and 2012. However, the Native women's association of Canada estimates the real number may exceed 4000.

Even more alarming:

Indigenous women make up only 4% of Canada's female population, yet account for 16% of female homicide victims. 

This is not random.

This is not a coincidence. 

This is systematic. 

Why This Matters
This crisis did not appear out of nowhere. It is deeply rooted in Canada's history of colonialism and systematic racism.

Policies such as residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and forced relocation created long term impacts. These include poverty, lack of housing, and limited access to education and services. These conditions increase vulnerability and put indigenous women at greater risk. 

In 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls concluded that this violence amounts to race based genocide and released 231 Calls for Justice.

These are not suggestions.

They are legal and human rights obligations. 

Yet, progress has been slow and incomplete. 

The Highway of Tears: A Tragic Example
One of the most well known areas connected to this crisis is The Highway of Tears in British Columbia. 

Stretching over 700 km, this remote highway has been the site of dozens of disappearances and murders, many involving indigenous women and girls. While police officially recognize 18 cases, communities believe that the number is far higher. 

A major cause?

Lack of safe and reliable transportation

Many women are forced to hitchhike to travel between communities for school, work, or basic needs, placing them in extremely dangerous situations. 

No one should have to risk their life just to get home.Yet many still do. 

A Story That Must Not Be Forgotten
Monica Jack was only 12 years old when she disappeared in 1978 in British Columbia. 

Her remains were not found until 17 years later.

Her family waited decades for justice, until 2019. When her killer was finally convicted. 

Monica was not a statistic. 

She was a daughter

A  friend

A child with a future.

Her story represents countless others still waiting for answers. 

What Is Being Done? And What Isn't? 
There have been efforts including Project E-PANA and Canada’s National Action Plan have been introduced, along with some funding for shelter and safety programs. 

But it is not enough. 

Many cases remain unsolved
Families report lack of communication and trust with police
Transportation options in northern communities remain limited
The calls for justice are not fully implemented

Without urgent action, the crisis will continue. 

The Impact on Families and Communities
Behind every statistic is a family left searching for answers. When an Indigenous woman or girl goes missing or is murdered, the pain does not end with her loss. It spreads through entire families and communities, creating long-lasting trauma that can span generations. 

Parents are left wondering if they could have done something differently. Siblings grow up without closure. Children lose mothers, grandmothers, and role models. Many families spend years, decades, advocating for justice, often with little support or communication from authorities. 

This emotional toll is overwhelming. Families describe feeling ignored, dismissed, or even blamed when reporting a loved one missing. In some cases, investigations are delayed in the critical early hours when action matters most. That delay can mean the difference between life and death.

Communities are also deeply affected. Fear becomes a part of daily life. Women and girls may feel unsafe walking alone, traveling between towns, or even leaving their homes. This limits opportunities for education, employment, and social connection. 

Grief, fear, and mistrust build over time. When justice is delayed or denied, it sends a harmful message that Indigenous lives are not valued equally. This is why addressing this crisis is not only about solving cases, it is about restoring trust, dignity, and safety for entire communities.

What Needs to Change?
We are calling on the Government of Canada to take immediate, meaningful action:

Invest in Safe Transportation

Fund reliable, affordable bus routes and community transportation in rural and northern areas

Reduce the need for hitchhiking

Fully Implement the 231 Calls for Justice
Treat them as legal obligations, not optional recommendations 

Increase Accountability in Policing 
Make sure all cases are properly investigated

Address systemic racism and bias issues 

Support Indigenous-Led Solutions
Fund Indigenous organizations, shelters, and safety programs

Encourage communities to lead their own solutions 

Improve Education
Ensure all students learn about Indigenous history and MMIWC crisis

What You Can Do
Real change does not only come from governments. It also comes from everyday people choosing to care, speak up, and take action. 

You do not have to be an expert to make a difference. Simply learning about the issue and sharing accurate information helps raise awareness. Many Canadians are still unaware of the scale of this crisis or its root causes. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have. 

You can also support indigenous led organizations that work directly with families and communities. These groups provide resources, advocacy, and culturally appropriate support, often filling gaps left by government systems. 

Another important step is holding leaders accountable. Pay attention to policies, ask questions, and demand transparency from elected officials. Change happens faster when people consistently push for it. 

Most importantly, listen to indigenous voices. Survivors, families, and community leaders have been speaking out for years. Their knowledge, experience, and solutions must be respected and prioritized. 

Even small actions matter. Conversations with friends, sharing posts online, or attending local events can help build momentum. When more people stand together, it becomes harder for this issue to be ignored. 

This is not an indigenous issue. It is a Canadian one. It reflects the values of our country and how we choose to treat one another. 

Why I Care
This issue matters because it exposes a painful truth. 

Not everyone in Canada is equally safe.

Indigenous women and girls deserve the same protection, respect, and justice as anyone else in Canada. The fact that so many cases remain unsolved is heartbreaking, and unacceptable.

Every victim had a life.

A family.

A future.

We cannot ignore this.  

Your Signature Matters 
Your voice matters

By signing this petition, you are: 

• Standing up for human rights
• Supporting Indigenous communities
• Demanding real, systematic change

Take Action Now 
Sign this petition and share it with your friends, family, and community.

Because silence allows injustice to continue. 

It's time for Canada to act. No more delays, no more excuses.