Lorelei Williams: Advocacy for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG)
*Disclaimer* This episode discusses sensitive topics including violence against missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and two spirit people which some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild speaks with Lorelei Williams, a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). Lorelei shares her personal experiences with violence and loss in her family, which have shaped her advocacy work. She discusses the systemic issues surrounding MMIWG, the role of racism in law enforcement, and the importance of community healing through initiatives like Butterflies in Spirit, a dance group that raises awareness and honors the lives of those lost. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of their performances and the collective healing that occurs through dance, as well as the ongoing challenges and aspirations for change in the fight against violence towards Indigenous women and girls.
More About Lorelei Williams
Lorelei Williams is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and a dedicated voice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Born in Mission, BC and raised in Vancouver, BC Canada, Lorelei is from Skatin Nations, BC on her mother’s side and Sts’ailes aka Chehalis, BC on her father’s side. Driven by her own family’s experiences of loss and resilience, Lorelei has become a prominent figure in the movement for justice and healing. She is known for her tireless work with organizations and committees such as the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Coalition, the Sisterwatch Committee, West Coast Leaf, the National Security Transparency Advisory Group, Sovereign Bodies Institute in California and the National and International Brigades in Mexico.
Lorelei is the founder of Butterflies in Spirit, a dance group that raises awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQQIA+ and the Disappeared through powerful performances. Her advocacy work has taken her around the world, across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and around Europe, more specifically, Graz, Austria, Rome, Italy, Cannes and Paris, France. Lorelei has gone as far as Mexico, Colombia, and Europe to speak at conferences, rallies, and events to shed light on the systemic issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada.
https://www.instagram.com/butterfliesinspirit/
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Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/
Find more about Matriarch Movement at https://matriarchmovement.ca/
This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network
https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/
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