Alina Dyatlova's video: WHERE IS BRANDY WESAQUATE MMIWG

*I mention the case of Selena Reyes-Hernandez and made the error of stating she was stabbed - she was shot multiple times We are tackling the the topic of and speaking on cases that do not get the attention they deserve. The issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada is as old as the development of Canada itself and must be understood within the historical context of settler colonialism that has led to the ongoing racialization and sexualization of Indigenous women. This led to an acceptance of violence. We must examine the underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional, and historical causes that contribute to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities of Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. This is the story of Brandy Rene Wesaquate. Brandy Wesaquate was a 28 year old trans woman when she was last seen​ leaving a house party in Regina on New Year's Day in 2012. Brandy was seen leaving a party on the 900 block of Rae Street in Regina, Saskatchewan at 1:30 am that morning. She has had no contact with family or friends since the date of her disappearance. INTRO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ2qZrtTKog&list=PLa-oMP3ATLx14PKWlyKS7i_qunGQrZ00t&index=17&t=809s Disclaimer: As a white, able-bodied CIS woman, I acknowledge my privilege and I am using it to spread awareness about the on-going societal and institutionalized violence towards racialized groups, with a direct focus on Indigenous Peoples. I am actively working on challenging my internalized racism and biases by rejecting the narrative that was taught and absorbed by me as a result of white-washed education and prominent stereotypes in our media, social life, etc. This video is published in solidarity with the on-going activism of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, specifically the work that they have been doing towards dismantling systems of oppression (de-colonization of institutions). I have created The Justice Card so we can learn more about historic and ongoing impacts of colonization and how those colonial notions survive and thrive within our most “sacred” institutions. I also cover, and at times critique, various Canadian news stories (think, social justice) that you may have missed because they weren’t “hot” enough to circulate via social media. Let’s challenge our white privilege and work through our white fragility together so we can effectively show up and do the work that is required of us. Systemic violence is rooted in white supremacy and has been flowing through our institutions for centuries, always wearing a new mask - a new face to fit the social climate of “today”. The work ahead of us is not easy, and will be difficult, awkward at times. As white folk, we benefit from these systems whether we realize it or not, and it is our job to dismantle it - piece by piece; we must acknowledge that the actions and inactions of our ancestors further solidified racial biases, discrimination and oppression. Resources, accounts to follow and more: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GrdqBKsBv-qYQJkTQDl84ydnCX4HgY6w88bDEmOnK9s/edit?usp=sharing