Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is encouraging its First Nations citizens to remain vigilant when accessing taxis in Winnipeg following two incidents earlier this month.

MKO says there have been two Winnipeg taxi drivers charged in relation to their treatment of Indigenous women with offences including forcible confinement, assault, extortion, and careless driving.

MKO director for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison Unit Hilda Anderson-Pyrz [Pierce] states any form of violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people is unacceptable, especially at the hands of taxi drivers.

She goes on to call on all taxi companies and the City of Winnipeg to step up to ensure First Nations people can access safe taxi services.