b'JOURNEYSSelf-care for me is baking, workingis being said. Collective politicalThe narrative cannot be limited out and taking walks with my dog.will is needed to address thisto keeping Indigenous women I make time for the things that giveissue on provincial, federal andand girls safe. Because that me joy, pride, and care for myself.municipal levels. Something wecomes after the infrastructure. Do the things that give you joy,dont talk about is the need toIf you deal with that, you will and dont feel guilty. The thingssupport Indigenous women andkeep Indigenous women safe. that were done to us dont need togirls to go to school and gain accessIndigenous women are being kept define us.to daycare, safe housing and jobin perpetual cycles of poverty, training. Also, womens sheltersand their kids are at risk for Yours is one of the voiceshave been operating at reducedunsafe housing. This issue can that has been strongestcapacity because successivebe addressed in a real way. But in raising awareness andgovernments refuse to invest thewe need the political will and bringing action to the crisisneeded infrastructure dollars.courage to execute that.of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, both nationally and internationally. What gives you hope that this will ultimately be changed? What are the hurdles, and how can Indigenous and non-Indigenous people collaborate to overcome them?There is no other issue that is so utterly urgent, critical, and seemingly hopeless and traumatic as MMIWG2S. Ive been working on this for over 25 years. There have been days where Ive brokenSupporting First Nationsdown and just wanted to give up. Manitoba is ground zero. My ownWe help build capacity through customized reserve has either the largest (orprofessional programs to fit the unique needs one of the largest) numbers ofof the communities and organizations we MMIWG families. In the last three to four months there have beenserve.significant numbers. Our service areas includeThe hope I see is in the MMIWG2S families. No matter how long itsExecutive Search and Recruitmentbeen, these families refuse to giveHuman Resource Advisory Servicesup on their loved ones. DespiteLeadership and Developmentthe obstacles, lack of informationTruth & Reconciliation Awareness Programand care, they still seek justice. If you want to see a quintessential example of resilience, courage and determination, you need not look further than MMIWG2S families, and the Indigenous women that support them. Theres hope, beauty, and resilience in that.Visit our website to learn more: legacybowes.comWhile governments talk about the need to protect Indigenous women and support MMIWG2S, there is no action to support what 2022indspiration23'