FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, ON — Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) is raising concern following the federal government’s decision to sunset critical funding for Indigenous-led organizations addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+). This decision comes as no new funding commitments have been announced beyond March 31, 2026 and shortly after a United Nations report highlighted limited progress on the 231 Calls for Justice and ongoing high rates of violence.
LFMO’s mandate comes from the voices and lived realities of Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. LMFO carries these experiences into research, policy, advocacy, and awareness work to ensure decisions reflect community priorities.
LFMO strongly opposes cuts to core services from Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations, including mental health and addictions supports, justice programming, and services for children. Funding cuts will directly impact the most vulnerable Métis kin, increase inequity, and raise their risks of being targeted for violence or exploitation. While LFMO is not a service provider, its work complements service delivery, and both approaches are essential to preventing and responding to this crisis.
“At LFMO, our focus remains on advancing policy changes to keep our communities safe,” said Lisa Pigeau, Intergovernmental Relations Director.
LFMO continues to advocate for a Métis-specific MMIWG2S+ database. While data collection has helped paint a picture of the crisis, there’s much work to be done with families, survivors, and communities to fully understand and address the realities of missing and murdered Métis women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse kin.
LFMO also expresses deep concern over the failure to move forward with a National Red Dress Alert like the platform piloted in Manitoba.
“A Red Dress Alert is a life-saving tool,” Pigeau added. “Our safety is not a pilot project. The Red Dress Alert must be implemented nationally and scaled in all provinces and territories.”
LFMO works in allyship with other Indigenous organizations who provide support to MMIWG2S+ families and survivors We advocate for sustainable, equitable funding to all organizations who work with the families and survivors who carry the burden of impact every day. “In the context of the ongoing MMIWG2S+ crisis, long-term, predictable funding is essential,” said Melanie Omeniho, President of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak. “We must advance life-saving measures like a national Red Dress Alert while ensuring accountability in implementing the Calls for Justice.”
LFMO emphasized that the 231 Calls for Justice and its 62 Calls for Miskotahâ already outline what needs to happen. Co-development and full implementation are urgently needed as violence against Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people continues to escalate.
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak remains committed to Métis-specific, community-informed solutions grounded in safety, accountability, and meaningful change.