Episode Four: Safety Begins With Our Homefires - With Josie Nepinak

In this episode of Stolen Voices, we are joined by Josie Nepinak, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation on the realities of human trafficking and violence impacting Indigenous communities. Drawing from over 30 years of advocacy—and her own lived experience of loss and intergenerational trauma—Josie speaks to the urgent need for action at every level, from community to national systems. She shares how human trafficking is not a distant issue, but one that exists in everyday spaces—from schools and shopping centres to online environments—and emphasizes the importance of early intervention, awareness, and community responsibility in recognizing and responding to risk.

Grounded in the idea that “safety begins with our home fires,” this episode explores how prevention starts within families, culture, and identity. Josie highlights the ongoing gaps in services, the lack of implementation of the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the need for Indigenous-led, culturally grounded solutions. From the impacts of resource extraction and systemic inequities to the importance of allyship, education, and protecting future generations, this conversation is both sobering and empowering. It calls on all of us to stay vigilant, speak out, and work collectively to ensure safety, dignity, and justice for Indigenous women, girls, and communities.

Native Women’s Association of Canada: https://nwac.ca