Pictured above: Nor’Westers from Gibraltar House proudly displaying their featured dreamcatcher T-shirts

The North West Company staff members stood in solidarity with families and community members to acknowledge Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) on May 5th.

Nor’Westers wore red t-shirts on May 5 as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the ongoing violence Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people face. They also had the opportunity to listen to the testimony of a person who lost a loved one in this way, sparking their interest to learn more and creating meaningful dialogue and reflection among colleagues.

This year, The North West Company worked together with Dreamcatcher Promotions, an Indigenous-owned and operated promotions and apparel business located in Winnipeg, MB, to launch an MMIWG2S initiative that made red “No More Stolen Sisters” t-shirts available in Northern and NorthMart stores throughout northern communities across Canada. The colour red represents the hearts that were scarred by losing someone this way. All proceeds from t-shirt sales will be donated to the Native Women’s Association of Canada, a national Indigenous organization that enhances, promotes and fosters the social, economic and cultural well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada. 

Pictured above:  Nor’Westers showcasing their MMIWG2S awareness T-shirts

“That’s how it starts; you have to break the cycle at some point. Wearing a red shirt is a great thing and is how we’re going to raise more awareness and share that across Canada,” said Michelle Cameron, owner of Dreamcatcher Promotions. “The North West Company is doing a great thing in providing red t-shirts for people to wear and share their stories.”

The President and CEO of the North West Company, Dan McConnell, said, “This issue deeply affects our employees, customers, and the communities served by our Northern and NorthMart stores. This is a time for us to acknowledge the pervasive, deliberate, and tragic scope of gender-based violence against vulnerable Indigenous people, which is so often overlooked and underreported.”