Indigenous declaration passes, families pack gallery for Red Dress Day

The gallery at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building was filled with women wearing red and ribbon skirts Thursday morning.

They were there to push the government for action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People — and they got it, in a way.

Gwenda Yuzicappi speaks on Red Dress Day about her late daughter Amber Redman and the need for action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples on May 5, 2022. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

In an emergency debate, the Assembly voted unanimously to pass and adopt the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ Declaration to Honour Indigenous Women and Girls.

Ahead of the proceedings, the women and leaders gathered to share their stories.

“My daughter was only 19 years old when she was taken. It took two years and 10 months for us to find her remains and we only found 42 per cent of her remains,” said Gwenda Yuzicappi, her voice full of emotion.

Yuzicappi’s daughter was Amber Redman.

“Two years and 10 months not knowing where your daughter is? That’s a lot of pain, that’s a lot of emotions — depression, (thoughts of) suicide. I went through so many emotions, it was very, very hard (and) difficult,” explained Yuzicappi.

Loretta Henderson’s daughter, Krista Kenny, went missing in May 2009 and was found dead a few days later.

“She was kind, she was loving (and) she helped out so many people,” Henderson said of her daughter. “Even though it was 13 years ago, it’s still so hard. Every day we talk about her (and) always mention her because she was my only daughter.”

Loretta Henderson holds a picture of her late daughter, Krista Kenny, and talks about her and her disappearance on Red Dress Day at the Legislative Building on May 5, 2022. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Joyce Keepness is Tamara Keepness’ grandmother; the five-year-old went missing without a trace in 2004.

“It’s something that you never forget; it stays with you. Every day there’s something that comes up that reminds you that this little person was never found. This little person, are we ever going to find her? Is she out there?” Joyce Keepness said.

Looking at the women around her, Keepness said she was glad to see the gathering and was proud of the leadership for putting together the show of support on Red Dress Day.

FSIN Vice-Chief Aly Bear stood tall in her headdress and ribbon skirt in front of the other women, her voice full of purpose.

“We have women going missing every day and it’s not taken seriously,” Bear said.

Bear said they were standing in solidarity with all the families of those missing and murdered and what they’re going through. She said they were at the legislature to support and uplift the families, but also to push for the adoption of the declaration.

“We’re here to continue to stand up and let you know that we are still here, and we’re here to continue to protect each other and we want you to stand with us as well in solidarity,” said Bear.

Bear said the conversation needs to continue longer than just one day, that talking about the problem is the only way to find solutions to it.

“Every day is Red Dress Day. We Indigenous women endure disproportionate levels of violence that are affected far too often by government’s failure to act, a failure to intervene, a failure to stand up for those who need it most,” said Betty Nippi-Albright, the NDP’s critic for Indigenous issues.

Nippi-Albright said if communities keep losing Indigenous women to murder and disappearances, they’re losing a very important member of society.

“When it comes to Indigenous women, we don’t get the attention that non-Indigenous women get when we go missing, or when we go murdered. And we need to change that and it changes by imploring our elected officials to act and stop giving lip service,” said Nippi-Albright.

The declaration

The Saskatchewan Party and NDP voted in favour of adopting the FSIN’s declaration, which consists of five articles.

— “The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and its governing and organizational structures will take responsibility and action to address the disproportionate victimization of Indigenous women and girls.

— “In matters of governance and politics, Indigenous women have the right to participate at all levels of governance, including the Nation, tribal council, provincial and national levels, free from discrimination, physical, verbal, spiritual or emotional abuse and harassment, and with respect for both individual autonomy and democratic principles.

— “Indigenous women and girls have the right to partake in ceremonial practices, access safe and accessible childcare, education, health, recreation, resource stewardship, economic development, land protection and livelihood activities with full consideration for their important roles and responsibilities as life-givers of our Nations, free from disparagement, racism, sexual innuendo, harassment or assault; and with reasonable expectations of physical, mental, spiritual and emotional safety.

— “Indigenous women and girls have the right to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual protection. It is incumbent upon all persons to ensure the safety of women and girls.

— “Indigenous women and girls have the right to access independent and culturally relevant and safe processes to investigate and meaningfully address any and all complaints of gender-based violence. Indigenous women and girls who experience gender-based violence have the right to redress and accountability from those responsible.”

During the emergency debate, Don Morgan — the minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs — said there was nothing in those five articles a person could disagree with. He talked about the government’s commitment to lessening violence against everyone in the province, including Indigenous women and girls.

In her remarks during debate, Nippi-Albright talked about past action from the government on such issues.

“This government has sent the message to us as Indigenous women (that) they do not care. This government does not care,” said Nippi-Albright.

And the NDP critic talked about needing the government to not just give lip service to this issue and asked whether there would be clear reporting on measurements of success.

“Or is it just a document you’re going to say, ‘Yeah, we approved it. We put it on the website’?” Nippi-Albright said as she slammed her hand down on the desk. “And remember, not all Indigenous people have access to internet.”

Among actions requested were for the government to adopt the 231 recommendations from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and to offer more support to relevant community-based organizations.