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A photo from a project involving staff members at Piwapan Women’s Centre in 2020, designed to bring attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG+). (Image Credit: File photo/Alayna Calladine)
Identifying root causes

Province highlights progress on MMIWG response seven years after national inquiry

Jun 3, 2026 | 10:04 AM

Seven years after the release of the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), the Saskatchewan government said it has expanded support programs, strengthened legislation and invested millions into efforts aimed at preventing violence against Indigenous women and girls.

In a news release marking the anniversary of the inquiry’s final report, the province pointed to several initiatives designed to support families, improve public safety and address gender-based violence.

“Saskatchewan remains focused on addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and building safer communities for all residents,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said in the release. “Through collaboration with Indigenous and community partners, we are identifying root causes of gender-based violence, strengthening legislation to protect victims and those at risk of gender-based violence, improving access to justice and ensuring Indigenous voices are heard as we strive toward a future free from violence, exploitation and abuse.”

Among the province’s key supports are Missing Persons Liaison (MPL) programs and the Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU), which help families navigate investigations and government processes involving missing loved ones.

The Missing Persons Liaison program operates through victim services units with the Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon police services. Liaison workers help keep families informed, connect them with supports and share best practices with victim services programs across the province.

The province said the programs currently support more than 170 families.

Families can also access counselling, educational sessions and sharing circles. The programs help organize Missing Persons Week and Red Dress Day events across Saskatchewan to honour those who have gone missing.

The government also highlighted several pieces of legislation introduced in recent years to address interpersonal violence and exploitation.

Those measures include Clare’s Law, which allows police to disclose information about a person’s history of violence to potentially at-risk intimate partners, and The Cyberstalking and Coercive Control Act, which expanded Saskatchewan’s definition of interpersonal violence to include online harassment, cyberstalking and coercive behaviour.

The province also pointed to legislation aimed at combating human trafficking and protecting survivors from debts incurred through coercion.

Saskatchewan said it continues to fund projects through the federal National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which provides $20.3 million over four years for programs and services addressing interpersonal violence and abuse.

Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross said the province’s focus remains on prevention through community supports, stronger laws and partnerships.

The province’s MMIWG+ Community Response Fund continues to provide $800,000 for community-led projects focused on violence prevention and community safety. Since launching in 2022-23, the fund has supported 83 projects through grants of up to $40,000.

“Our government is committed to working with Indigenous partners and communities to help build a safer Saskatchewan for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said. “Through the MMIWG+ Community Response Fund, we are supporting community-based projects that strengthen local responses and support safer communities across Saskatchewan.”

The government also highlighted several awareness campaigns and training initiatives, including anti-human trafficking programs for law enforcement, hospitality workers and the tourism sector.

Officials said the province will continue working with Indigenous communities and organizations to improve safety for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people across Saskatchewan.

panews@pattisonmedia.com