A Tree of Hope now shines at Parliament Hill. The Thunder Bay Police Service introduced the initiative yesterday in Ottawa to build awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited people (MMIWG2S).
In 2019, the Thunder Bay Police Service began the MMIWG2S Tree of Hope Project. It has since been adopted by other police services throughout Ontario. The red lights pay tribute to those lost. For the families of victims who continue to suffer from loss, the MMIWG2S Tree of Hope is a reminder that they are not alone, and that their loved ones are remembered.
For Monday's tree-lighting ceremony, Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury was joined by Elders, Drummers, the project creator, Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, and guests.
“As police officers we have a responsibility to advocate for and work tirelessly on behalf of the Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people who have suffered at the hands of others. Bringing the MMIWG2S Tree of Hope to Parliament Hill amplifies our pledge to hold each of them in our hearts as we continue to work in a good way to protect our community and the safety and well-being of marginalized people,” said Chief Fleury.
In Canada, there are reported numbers of 1,200 and as many as 5,000 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Tree of Hope shines for them.
“The effects of colonialism transcend present day systems where the voices, the names, and the stories of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people have been violently attacked and suppressed," Minister Hajdu said. "This is a national crisis, and we all — law enforcement, governments, health services, and others — must do better. The Thunder Bay Police’s lighting of the MMIWG2S Tree of Hope on Parliament Hill calls on us to do just that. We are each other’s people, and we must stand together to end this crisis."
The MMIWG2S Tree of Hope aims to build awareness of unsolved MMIWG2S cases and the issues impacting this segment of our population. Awareness empowers people to come forward with information to help make the community safer.
Chief Fleury noted his hope that today’s tree-lighting ceremony would inspire other police services throughout Canada. “I invite all police services to join in the lighting of MMIWG2S Trees of Hope to signal unity in our commitment.”