Photo: flickr/momo

On October 4, every year, communities come together from across Canada to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

“We gather to honour our lost sisters and their families. We gather to show we are a united front,” notes the Sisters In Spirit Candle Light Vigil website.

For more information on the Candle Light Vigil and to find a vigil near you this Saturday, please visit the website.

We have gathered a selection of pieces that discuss the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and its roots in colonialism and white male violence, and discuss the best strategy for dealing with this epidemic of violence against women.

National inquiry won’t keep Indigenous women safe, but it couldn’t hurt  by Âpihtawikosisân

Who would oppose an inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women? The reality is much more complicated than either/or.

Why are we hesitant to name white male violence as a root cause of #MMIW?  by Sarah Hunt

Has the flurry of dialogue and public outrage surrounding MMIW failed to bring about real change? Maybe, because we need to shine a light on the real cause: white male violence.

Harper’s new strategy to stop violence against Indigenous girls and women is neither new nor a strategy by Krystalline Kraus

On Monday, September 15, 2014, Harper announced a $25-million, five-year plan which would tackle the issue in “high-risk communities,” within the context of the Economic Action Plan 2014 budget.

How non-Indigenous allies can support Indigenous struggle by Âpihtawikosisân

The most comprehensive answer to “How can I help?” is complex and involves a lot of learning and effort to make change, but the answer can also be simple and immediate.

#ImNotNext: Indigenous women use social media to demand change by Sarah Hunt

Are there links between missing and murdered women and Bill C-36? Perhaps. It seems there is a discomfort in linking violence against Indigenous women and the rights and safety of sex workers.

Challenging Harper’s framing of the death of Tina Fontaine by Redeye Collective

Stephen Harper dismissed renewed calls for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women, saying the recent murder of Tina Fontaine was a crime, not a sociological phenomenon.

Human trafficking research reveals Canada’s role in violence against Aboriginal women by Julie Kaye and Sarah Hunt

Public Safety Canada’s report on human trafficking in Aboriginal communities asks “How are Aboriginal families trafficking their children?” instead of “Has the government participated in trafficking?”

A national inquiry for #MMIW? Yes, but do it right. by Kim Stanton

Yes. Inquiries are expensive. But not addressing entrenched societal problems? Much more expensive.

For more related articles, please see rabble’s Indigenous Rights issue page.

Photo: flickr/momo