NDP Member of Parliament Leah Gazan is defending her use of the acronym MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ and condemning those who are ridiculing her online for employing the term. A video of the Winnipeg Centre MP stating “the ongoing genocide of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+” during a press briefing in Ottawa gained widespread attention this week, leading to criticism from figures such as Elon Musk and U.S. Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
Gazan responded to the backlash by stating, “Bigots are bigots.” She expressed satisfaction that her stance on equality offends bigots, emphasizing her dedication to eradicating systemic racism in Canada.
The abbreviation MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ represents missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit individuals, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals. It is an extension of the commonly used acronyms MMIWG (missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls) and 2SLGBTQ+.
Gazan views the backlash as a diversion from the ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender diverse individuals, compounded by reductions in federal funding for prevention programs.
During a press conference at the House of Commons discussing the sunsetting of program funding for Indigenous women’s organizations, Gazan brought up the term. The government has stated that talks regarding sustained funding are ongoing.
Marion Buller, former chief commissioner of the National Inquiry into MMIWG, remarked that the situation is regrettable and aligns with Gazan in recognizing it as a distraction from the funding cuts affecting Indigenous women and girls.
Buller noted that the national inquiry broadened its terminology to include 2SLGBTQQIA individuals shortly after its inception in 2016. The decision aimed to address the systemic violence faced by Indigenous women and girls across the gender spectrum.
In the 2019 final report, the inquiry concluded that there is a race-based genocide targeting Indigenous Peoples, specifically women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals. Despite personal reservations about the lengthy acronym, Sen. Michèle Audette emphasized respecting Gazan’s choice to use it.
Sheila North, Chief of Bunibonibee Cree Nation in Manitoba, who introduced the hashtag #MMIW, understands the necessity for adapting terminology to be more inclusive. North continues to use MMIW but supports Gazan and others who have extended the acronym to encompass a broader range of victims and survivors impacted by the issue.