NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Health Transformation Department at the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is launching a social media campaign to combat gender-based violence.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign will run from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. The campaign will share resources, information, and traditional teachings.

“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is launching this social media campaign to encourage conversations and dialogue around the importance of ending gender-based violence,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Violence is not the way of our people. I encourage Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens of all ages and all genders to talk about this issue. Many of our people are impacted by it. It is not easy to talk about violence, but discussing this issue can help us take steps towards ending cycles of violence to help protect our sacred citizens.”

The goals of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign are to encourage southern First Nations citizens to interrupt gender-based violence and to reclaim Anishinaabe and Dakota traditional ways of being.

“Increasing safety within our Nations is a collective effort,” shared Chief Lola Thunderchild of Canupawakpa Dakota Nation. “Treating women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people as sacred is our tradition. Reclaiming our cultural practices is one thing we can do to empower our young people and interrupt gender-based violence. Let’s work together to end the national emergency of missing and murdered women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people.”

Gender-based violence is violence that is directed toward someone based on their gender. This violence can affect a person’s feelings, finances, mind, body, spirit, and/or sexual health. It can happen in any kind of relationship—whether that be family, friends, romantic relationships, or other types of relationships.

SCO’s Health Transformation Team is working to apply a gender-based analysis and ensure a variety of perspectives are reflected and included across the many projects they are developing to support the ongoing transformation and improvement of health services for participating SCO Nations. Health Transformation received guidance from the SCO Gender-Based Violence Advisory Circle on the content of this campaign.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the members of our Gender-Based Violence Advisory Circle for your ongoing commitment to helping make our province a safe place to live. I also want to give thanks to the many citizens and leaders who continue to work to create a future where our children and young people grow up surrounded by healthy and loving relationships,” said Grand Chief Daniels.

SCO encourages Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens to taking a photo of themselves and/or their loved ones sharing messages of support for 16 days of activism. Citizens may also wish to get involved in our campaign by sending original artwork and photographs that portray encouraging and supportive messages in terms of ending gender-based violence.

The contributions will be shared on SCO social media channels as part of the 16 Days of Activism. Three people from SCO member Nations will be eligible to receive a gift card worth $100 as appreciation for your efforts.

SCO citizens can email their artwork and/or photos to media@scoinc.mb.ca by December 7, 2023. Be sure to include the name of your SCO First Nation with your email.

To learn more about things you can do to help end gender-based violence, please visit our webpage that shares 16 actions to end gender-based violence.

For anyone who may need immediate support, there are different places you can reach out to:

• To reach the SCO MMIWG2S+ Liaison: Call 204-946-1869 or email pathwayshealing@scoinc.mb.ca
• Young people can call or text the Kids Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
  1-800-668-6868 or text: 686868
• There is a national, independent toll-free support line for people impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+). Call 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. The service is available in Anishinaabemowin.
• For confidential help and information on violence prevention in Manitoba, call the province-wide, toll-free crisis line at 1-877-977-0007 (or text 204-792-5302 or 204-805-6682).

SCO is committed to ending gender-based violence. SCO’s Pathways to Healing Program includes a full-time liaison for MMIWG2S+. SCO plans to expand our resources dedicated to MMIWG2S+
in 2024.

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 85,500 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca