News

Today, we pause to honour and remember. December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, commemorating the 14 women murdered at Montréal’s École Polytechnique in 1989. This day reminds us of the urgent need to end gender-based violence in all its forms. For the IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC), this commitment is deeply connected to our work. We advocate for the safety, security, and economic well-being of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the context of resource development. Our efforts include: • Advancing Action Plan Measure 12 (APM 12) under the UNDRIP Act to protect Indigenous women and gender-diverse people in infrastructure projects. • Promoting wise practices for community safety and oversight. • Integrating a gendered lens (IGBA+) into emergency management and regulatory frameworks. • Supporting Indigenous-led monitoring and decision-making to address socioeconomic impacts. Violence against women is both a personal tragedy and a systemic issue that intersects with resource development, economic security, and community wellness. Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people.

Today, we pause to honour and remember. December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, commemorating the 14 women murdered at Montréal’s École Polytechnique in 1989. This day reminds us of the urgent need to end gender-based violence in all its forms. For the IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC), this commitment is deeply connected to our work. We advocate for the safety, security, and economic well-being of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the context of resource development. Our efforts include: ● Advancing Action Plan Measure 12 (APM 12) under the UNDRIP Act to protect Indigenous women and gender-diverse people in infrastructure projects. ● Promoting wise practices for community safety and oversight. ● Integrating a gendered lens (IGBA+) into emergency management and regulatory frameworks. ● Supporting Indigenous-led monitoring and decision-making to address socioeconomic impacts. Violence against women is both a personal tragedy and a systemic issue that intersects with resource development, economic security, and community wellness. Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting Indigenous women and gender-diverse people.

The socioeconomic subcommittee gathering has come to a close. We ended in a circle, a powerful way to honour the relationships, knowledge and shared purpose of keeping people and communities safer. We are grateful to everyone who shared their voice and energy. Thank you, Mo, for creating the beautiful illustration that captured the knowledge and brilliance from the gathering and participants! A huge thank you to the facilitators, Marcia Turner, Tracy Friedel and many more who made this gathering a success!! Safe travels, everyone.

Grateful to Christie Charles from the Musqueam Indian Band for welcoming us to your territory and for the beautiful stories and song. Thank you to the Elders Violet and Michael Meguinis from Tsuutina for the circle of prayers, lighting a candle and smudge for all Missing and Murdered Indigenous folks. This morning’s session, we learned about socioeconomic transportation Inequities for Indigenous folks in rural and remote areas with Dr. Tiffany Prete. She talked about how unsafe and unreliable transportation creates real harm, isolating families, limiting access to health care and education, and increasing the risk of violence. Then, we mapped some of the causes of these inequities. Colonial barriers are still here. This afternoon, we discussed the Federal government's Building Canada Act to fast-track and streamline major projects and how we can be ready to promote safety and economy in our Nations.

As discussions continue at the Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Women Gathering, participants have surfaced critical priorities and reflections shaping the dialogue: ● Lack of access to affordable housing and risk of homelessness ● Sex trafficking linked to work camps and non-local workers ● Mental stresses and depression connected to suicide ● Double burden of gender and racialized discrimination ● Heightened drug trade activity A powerful conversation developed about the 550 missing and murdered males in Alberta. We must stop excluding them from these discussions. Violence and vulnerability affect Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and men, and addressing these realities requires inclusive, systemic solutions. These insights reinforce the need to embed safety, security, and wellness into project planning from the outset through Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Plus (IGBA+), and community- and Indigenous-led oversight.

A huge shoutout to Mo Dawson, the talented graphic artist who is capturing the heart of our conversations at the SESC Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Women Gathering. Mo’s visual storytelling is bringing complex discussions to life; turning priorities, reflections, and ideas into powerful images that speak louder than words. It’s a beautiful way to honour the voices in the room and ensure these insights resonate long after the gathering ends. Thank you, Mo, for your incredible work and creativity! https://www.modawsoncreative.com/

Today and tomorrow (December 4–5, 2025), the IAMC‑TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) is hosting the Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse People in the Context of the Building Canada Act, 2025 on Musqueam xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Territory (Richmond, BC). This two‑day gathering brings together Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, and partners to focus on the safety, security (including economic security), and wellness of Indigenous women, girls, two‑spirit and gender diverse (2SLGBTQQIA+) people. We’ll explore what Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) means in the context of accelerated and streamlined infrastructure and resource development stemming from the Building Canada Act, 2025, share wise practices for community safety and oversight, and recognize the importance of Indigenous involvement in condition‑setting and monitoring. The gathering features a range of speakers and engagement activities to surface priorities for future action and research.

Register now for our Regional Engagement Session in Kamloops on Nov.27. This session is a chance to: • Connect with Nations in your region. • Share your community’s priorities. • Ask questions and guide how IAMC-TMX evolves after the 2025 Line Wide Gathering. Please register for the session closest to your community. Kamloops registration link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/iamc-tmx-interior-bc-regional-engagement-session-tickets-1838961396039?aff=oddtdtcreator General Regional Engagement information: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/LINEWIDE2025/regionals