Supporting MMIWG2S+ through Safety

AFCS is honouring the National Day of Awareness for MMMIWG2S+ through the release of the Safe Space Strategy Toolkit

On May 5, we honour the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (Red Dress Day). We invite everyone to wear red in remembrance, solidarity, and commitment to change. This day is a powerful call to recognize the lives impacted, uplift the voices of families and communities, and continue advocating for justice.

At Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS), our response to the MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice is rooted in action, connection, and community care. Over the past several years, we have worked alongside Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, frontline staff, and partners to build meaningful, culturally grounded approaches to safety.

One of the key outcomes of this work is the Safe Space Strategy Toolkit — a living resource designed to build capacity among individuals, families, organizations, and communities. This toolkit supports people in creating safer environments across emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural dimensions, while centering Indigenous knowledge and lived experience.

Last year, AFCS released the first draft of the Safe Space Strategy Toolkit. Since then, we have listened carefully to the voices of community members, organizations, and stakeholders across Saskatchewan. Their insights, experiences, and guidance have shaped and strengthened this work.

This year, we are proud to share the final version of the Safe Space Strategy Toolkit — a reflection of collective wisdom, resilience, and commitment to safer spaces for all.

The message we carry forward is clear: there is no true healing without justice and action. Through initiatives like the Safe Space Strategy, we continue to honour the Calls for Justice by empowering communities, strengthening supports, and fostering spaces grounded in dignity, respect, and cultural safety. This Red Dress Day, we stand together. We remember. We act. And we remain committed to creating safer spaces for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Saskatchewan.