Support line for those affected by missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. You can also access long-term health support services such as mental health counselling, community-based emotional support, cultural services, and some travel costs to see Elders and traditional healers.
September 4, 2022 - Masset, British Columbia - Crown−Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Today, Donald Edgars, Chief Councillor of the Old Massett Village Council; and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown−Indigenous Relations, launched the iit'l gudaad - We Remember Haida Heritage Plaza project. The Government of Canada will provide $500,000 through the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program (CSICP) towards the construction of the memorial.
The iit'l gudaad - We Remember Haida Heritage Plaza will commemorate the Haida people and their history, celebrate Haida art and language, and serve as a gathering place for generations to come. This site will act as a space for healing and a space to honour those who have passed on. The space will also host workshops and gatherings aimed at the inclusion and revitalization of traditional Haida ways of being. The site's design will integrate Haida principles, including respect for Indigenous girls, women, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The Haida Nation has always valued its 2SLGBTQQIA+ citizens for their ability to see different perspectives; these members have historically held respected positions in the community.
Investing in cultural spaces is crucial to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and to responding to Call for Justice 2.3. The Government of Canada will continue to work with Indigenous partners to create cultural spaces like the iit'l gudaad - We Remember Haida Heritage Plaza project. This project, funded through CSICP, is part of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, the Government of Canada's contribution to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan. This transformative program will also support Indigenous Peoples in reclaiming their identity as part of their journey towards self-determination, which is a crucial step in advancing reconciliation and building relationships with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians.
