The Right To Be Heard
by Broden Halcrow-Ducharme

The right to be heard is a basic part of justice, respect, and human dignity. Across Canada, Indigenous people have spoken about being ignored by systems that were supposed to protect them. Their voices have often been set aside, even when they spoke the truth about violence, discrimination, and neglect.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called this a violation of human and Indigenous rights. When people are not heard, accountability disappears. Investigations end too soon, information is withheld, and mistakes are repeated. The harm is not only in what happens, but in what is ignored.

The Inquiry found that communication failures made loss even harder to bear. Families were not informed of updates, reports were delayed, and institutions stayed silent. These actions were not isolated incidents; they came from long histories of racism and colonial control.

When communities are part of decisions about safety, health, and justice, outcomes improve. Indigenous-led programs, such as community safety groups and culturally grounded services, show that when people are respected and included, trust begins to grow.

The right to be heard is also the right to take part in shaping the future. It means having a voice in how systems are built, not just being asked for opinions after decisions are made. Indigenous knowledge, culture, and leadership must be part of every solution that affects our people.

We should be heard because truth carries responsibility. Listening and responding with care creates change. When voices are valued, and silence is replaced with action, healing begins and the path toward justice becomes clear.

To be heard is to be seen as human. It means that every life, every story, and every truth is valued. It means that when harm occurs, those in power listen, take responsibility, face hard truths, learn from them, and take action to create change.

Listening can save lives.