The documentary film, “Finding Dawn”, (Welsh 2006) explores the ways that Indigenous women have been ignored and further marginalized by law enforcement agencies.  Welsh (2006), challenges the audience to move past the exercise of defining stereotypes to appreciating the humanity of the over 500 missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, who are mothers, sisters, daughters, lovers, aunties and friends.

One of the key learning objectives from “Finding Dawn: A Guide for Teaching and Action” (Blaney 2009) explains the importance of understanding the stereotypes that Indigenous women face.  The film confronts some of the negative attitudes, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination that have had devastating consequences on Indigenous women’s lives and directly affected their safety.  They are dehumanized and devalued because mainstream society is ignorant of their historical and colonial experiences. “Finding Dawn” challenges viewers to reconsider various stereotypes and acknowledge the ways in which communities and Indigenous women’s groups are raising awareness and honouring the memories of the missing and murdered women.  

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