Ottawa, Ontario, Traditional Unceded Algonquin Territory - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Indigenous women, young women and girls, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer and Intersex + (2SLGBTQI+) people have the right to be safe, no matter where they live, as well as the right to every opportunity to take part in economic, social, and cultural life. The governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States share a deep commitment to addressing harmful behaviours and actions experienced by Indigenous women, young women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people across North America, such as marginalization, exclusion, discrimination, violence, and exploitation, among others.
On September 6 and 7, 2023, the Government of Canada chaired the Fifth Convening of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls in collaboration with Indigenous leaders from Canada, the United States, and Mexico, global subject-matter experts, and officials from the governments of Mexico and the United States. Discussions at this year's convening focused on human trafficking and access to justice.
At the centre of this international dialogue are the voices of Indigenous women, young women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, survivors, and families. Their collective knowledge and lived experiences are instrumental in the development of supports, programs, and services that have a real and positive impact on the lives of Indigenous Peoples across North America.
Government officials from Canada, Mexico, and the United States also had the opportunity to:
- exchange information about policies, programs, and promising practices to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, such as Mexico's Indigenous Women Houses program;
- share recent actions taken to address human trafficking and exploitation within communities and across borders, such as Canada's Human Trafficking Hotline and the United States' National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.
As a result of the meeting, officials from the three countries agreed to continue to protect and uphold the rights of Indigenous women, learn from and implement Indigenous-led approaches, provide accessible and culturally safe services, and support the preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages. Collectively, these commitments will help address the root causes of violence impacting Indigenous women, young women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in North America.
The governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States also recognized that further and ongoing collaboration is needed to advance key priorities and actions, and are committed to this critical work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
