Honoring Their Memory: The 2025 Women’s Memorial March Amplifies Calls for Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls
The 2025 Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver’s annual march returns with renewed urgency amid a national reckoning on systemic violence.
A March Rooted in Love, Resistance, and Urgency
On February 14, 2025, thousands filled the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for the Women’s Memorial March—an annual event that honors Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). Families, advocates, and community members walked side by side, many carrying signs, photos, and red dresses as symbols of the lives taken far too soon.
Unlike typical protests, this march is both a vigil and a declaration. It began in 1992 following the murder of an Indigenous woman in the area—her name lost in silence, yet her memory igniting a legacy of resistance that endures over three decades later.
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Why This March Still Demands National Attention
Every year, this march reminds Canadians that Indigenous women and girls face a persistent national crisis. Despite years of reports, promises, and inquiries, real change continues to move too slowly. According to the National Inquiry into MMIWG, Indigenous women remain 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than non-Indigenous women. That’s not a statistic—it’s a national shame.
Importantly, the march calls out structural issues: systemic racism in policing, lack of housing, underfunded mental health support, and ongoing colonial systems that continue to marginalize Indigenous communities. While the 231 Calls for Justice exist on paper, many remain unfulfilled in practice.
Because of this, community leaders, including Indigenous women like Judith Sayers, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, are urging stronger action. She emphasized,
“We march for those who should still be here. We march so others won’t disappear.”
Related: CBC Coverage of the 2025 Women’s Memorial March
Moving Forward: Marching with Purpose and Policy
Throughout the event, speakers stressed the importance of Indigenous-led solutions. They demanded concrete changes, not just awareness. Several calls to action included:
- Expand community-run housing and crisis services
- Enforce police accountability through civilian oversight
- Fund trauma-informed, culturally relevant mental health support
- Reform education systems to reflect Indigenous truths and histories
In addition, this year’s digital presence reached new heights. Hashtags like #JusticeForOurWomen, #NoMoreStolenSisters, and #MMIWG2S trended across Canada. Social media users shared survivor stories, educational resources, and ways to support Indigenous organizations.
This kind of digital activism helps extend the impact of the march beyond the streets. It also connects allies across the country who want to amplify Indigenous voices and press for long-overdue reform.
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Why We Must Keep Marching—Together
The 2025 Women’s Memorial March offered more than a moment of remembrance. It delivered a powerful statement: the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people matter. Their safety and dignity must become national priorities—not slogans or afterthoughts.
As Canadians, we cannot stay silent. We must listen to Indigenous leaders, support their demands, and push governments to act. Reconciliation isn’t a one-time gesture; it’s a commitment to justice, safety, and truth.
