OPP release new MMIWG-related report on Red Dress Day
By Pam Fedack, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: Kenora Miner & News
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have released a new edition of its report, Missing and Unsolved Murdered Indigenous People: The Ontario Provincial Police Perspective (MUMIP Report), shedding light on dozens of unresolved cases across the province.
The report coincides with May 5 being Red Dress Day, the national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) across the country.
This second edition of the original report examines 65 investigations dating back to 1956 through the end of 2024. Of those, 59 cases met the criteria for full inclusion, while 6 others were moved to an updates section after no longer fitting the report’s requirements.
The report builds on work that began more than a decade ago. In 2011, the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch launched a proactive review of all unsolved homicides and missing persons cases within its jurisdiction involving Indigenous victims. That effort led to the first report in 2015, released just ahead of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The cases included both missing persons and unsolved deaths. Fourteen of the investigations focus on Indigenous women and girls, including 5 who remain missing and 9 death investigations, 8 were ruled homicides, and 1 was considered suspicious.
The remaining 45 cases involve Indigenous men and boys. Among them are 39 missing persons cases and 6 unsolved deaths, including 5 homicides and 1 suspicious death.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the report reflects ongoing work to address violence affecting Indigenous communities.
“Since the release of the National Inquiry into MMIWG Final Report, the OPP has taken significant steps to address the root causes of violence that impact Indigenous women and girls and all Indigenous Peoples,” Carrique said.
“We remain hopeful that someone holds the missing piece of the puzzle that could help solve these investigations and urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Leaders from Indigenous organizations say progress has been made, but there is still more work to do.
“The first MUMIP report, released just before the National Inquiry into MMIWG, marked a critical starting point for the OPP in addressing systemic racism and the disproportionate violence affecting Indigenous Peoples,” said the Chiefs of Ontario. “However, much work remains to advance investigations and to support families of those who have gone missing or been murdered.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the cases to contact the Ontario Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The full report is available online in both English and French, with translations into Indigenous languages expected in the future.
Anyone with information about these investigations is urged to call the Ontario Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains toll-free tip line at 1-877-9-FINDME (34-6363). To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
