Human Trafficking’s Impacts on Indigenous Communities
Established in 2020, September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day honouring the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. Between 1867 and 1996, 140 federally run residential schools operated in Canada as one of the most tragic mechanisms used by settlers to oppress First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. The lasting impacts and trauma caused by residential schools is intergenerational, and it is a universal responsibility for all of us to use this day to understand the painful history of the land we live on.
For organizations like ours, today is a day to reflect on the impact of Canada’s colonial legacy on the trafficking of Indigenous peoples. In 2018, the Native Women’s Association of Canada, released a report called “Trafficking of Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada,” in which they shared that although Indigenous women only make up 4% of the Canadian population, they make up approximately 50% of all reported trafficking incidents.
Speak Out: Stop Sex Trafficking is a campaign to raise awareness about sex trafficking in Ontario, working to end the trafficking of targetted groups including Indigenous women, children, youth and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Across Canada, Indigenous women and girls are at a heightened risk of trafficking because of the intersecting factors they face as a result of colonization. This includes homelessness, poverty, and struggles with mental health and addictions. Traffickers prey on individuals, luring them with promises of drugs, money, shelter, and a better life, only to exploit their victims.
At Voice Found, we believe that human trafficking awareness is a key to elimination. However, it is not the only key for all populations. It is clear that addressing the systemic issues faced by Indigenous women and girls, and all Indigenous communities, would reduce trafficking and other forms of harm that Indigenous women and girls continue to face. We are grateful for the work of the organizations we have mentioned and also listed below in supporting Indigenous victims and survivors of trafficking.
We encourage all settlers to take the time to learn just how deeply impactful Canada’s colonial legacy has been.
Resources
Speak Out: Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign
Trafficking of IndigenousWomen and Girls in Canada - Native Women’s Association of Canada
Support Lines
Residential School Helpline: 1-866-925-4419
Missing and Murdered indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit Peoples Helpline: 1-844-413-6649.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis Hope for Wellness Helpline for emotional support: 1-855-242-3310
