Six Nations react to first phase of missing women inquiry

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde, together with AFN BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson, welcome today’s announcement by the Government of Canada to launch a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.

Minister of Status of Women Patty Hajdu said Monday she wants to understand “the conditions that create such an imbalance and make indigenous women and children or… young girls that much more at risk than the average Canadian woman”. “Our union pledges its support to this inquiry, and to the families of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, who we believe must be the guiding voices of this inquiry’s work”.

“We have made it clear that families, Indigenous organizations, women’s organizations and civil society organizations must inform the work of a national inquiry, and this includes being involved in pre-consultations and setting the terms of reference”, said AFN BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson who leads national efforts in this area for the AFN.

The blitz begins on Tuesday, when Trudeau delivers a speech in Gatineau to a special meeting of chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the country’s largest aboriginal group.

“The victims deserve justice”, said Mr. Trudeau, “their families, an opportunity to heal and be heard”.

Announced on Tuesday, December 8th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that it’s about high time Canada engages in a true partnership with Indigenous people. He said those touched by the tragedy of murdered and missing aboriginal women have waited long enough.

The recently elected Liberal Party prime minister’s probe follows years of criticism of his Conservative Party predecessor, Stephen Harper, for not addressing the issue.

In May 2014, the RCMP released a detailed breakdown of the then – 1,181 cases of murdered and missing indigenous women since 1980.

“Constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation”, Trudeau said.

The federal government announced as part of its first budget it will eliminate a two per cent cap on annual funding increases for First Nations programs that has been in place for nearly two decades.

“You have reached out your hand as a treaty partner in a respectful way”, Bellegarde said in his morning address.

At this mornings Special Chiefs Assembly in Gatineau, Quebec, Prime Minister Trudeau spoke about reconciliation.

She also hinted that the inquiry could last longer – and cost more – than the two-year, $40-million envelope that was originally projected. The federal government will speak with families of victims to ask how the inquiry should be organized.

“There’s a lot of stories that need to be told and the circumstances are unique because they’re from different territories and from different tribes”, said Simard-Chicago.