The Safe Passage Project: VP-MMIWG Unit

New project raises awareness about sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The National Inquiry into MMIWG’s Final Report highlights the role of the transportation and hospitality industry. Specifically, Call for Justice 8.1 states: “We call upon all transportation service providers and the hospitality industry to undertake training to identify and respond to sexual exploitation and human trafficking, as well as the development and implementation of reporting policies and practices.” In response to this Call, NWAC has launched the Safe Passage project, which is designed to raise awareness about MMIWG and human trafficking.

The Safe Passage project is hosted on a website that features an interactive map of MMIWG cases across Canada. The map, which was created in partnership with Nanos Research, allows visitors to explore MMIWG through a visualization of case data. Companion educational materials address the role that sexual exploitation and human trafficking plays in the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ crisis. A number of exceptional partners helped NWAC create these educational materials for Indigenous community members, the hospitality industry, and the transportation industry.

Working with Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Truckers Against Trafficking, and Intertek, this project offered NWAC an opportunity to share and explore anti-colonial approaches to violence that centre settler colonialism as the foundation of MMIWG. The Safe Passage project emphasizes the long history of violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. Through the project, readers may learn about colonialism and thus become better equipped to recognize and respond to systemic violence.

We will be publicly announcing the launch of the Safe Passage site in the near future. Once officially launched, on the site you will be able to access the MMIWG map, anti-trafficking and educational materials, and additional research and resources. Stay tuned for the official launch!