Treaty One Nations Stands United to Protect Indigenous Women Leaders

Honouring and Safeguarding Anishinaabekweg: Zero Tolerance for Violence

October 2, 2025 – Treaty No. 1 Territory – Treaty One Nations stands firm in the face of recent acts of vandalism, arson, and intimidation targeting Indigenous women leaders in Manitoba. These escalating incidents not only endanger lives and communities, but also undermine democracy and the right of Indigenous women to lead without fear.

In recent weeks, constituency offices of Indigenous women leaders have been repeatedly vandalized and, in some cases, deliberately set on fire. These acts of aggression are not isolated events, they are direct assaults on Indigenous rights, democracy, and the safety of our leaders. They also create fear and disruption for residents, families, and businesses who share or own these community spaces.

In our Nations, women are honoured as Anishinaabekweg — life givers, leaders, and knowledge carriers. To harm them is to harm the generations they carry forward. Protecting their voices is protecting the heart of our Nations, as well as the future of this country.

“These acts of aggression are not just directed at individuals; they are a direct assault on First Nation & Indigenous rights and threaten the safety of our leaders,” said Treaty One Nations Chairperson Chief Gordon BlueSky. “Treaty One Nations will always stand beside Anishinaabekweg who continue to lead with strength and vision, and violence will not silence them.”

Treaty One Nations calls upon governments, institutions, and all Canadians to denounce violence against Indigenous women leaders and to take meaningful steps to safeguard their safety. Protecting Indigenous women in leadership is essential to reconciliation, to justice, and to the shared future of this country.

Treaty One Nations reaffirms its commitment to protect, uplift, and honour Anishinaabekweg leadership. Their voices are sacred and vital to building a just and equitable future, and no threats or acts of violence will deter their path forward.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Vic Savino
Director of Communications, Treaty One Nation
vsavino@treaty1.ca
204-770-0392