Canada launches inquiry into murdered aboriginal women

Speaking to the Assembly of First Nations in Gatineau, Quebec today, Trudeau says his Government will act on several of the promises his party made during the election campaign.

The House is preparing to tighten controls on visa-free travel to the US following the Paris terror attacks.

Calls for a national inquiry have been growing since a 2014 RCMP review found that 1,181 indigenous women had been murdered or gone missing since 1980 – 164 missing and 1,017 homicide victims.

“We have made this inquiry a priority for our government because those touched by this national tragedy have waited long enough”, Trudeau said.

The Gervais Law Corp. barrister advocated for Aboriginal interests at the B.C. commission of inquiry into the issue three years ago, headed by former provincial Attorney General Wally Oppal.

“I know that renewing our relationship is an ambitious goal, but I am equally certain that it is one we can, and will, achieve if we work together”, Trudeau said.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says the government will consult the families of victims over the next two months to get their input into how the inquiry should be designed and what it needs to accomplish. As of November 2013, there were 19 unresolved cases of missing indigenous women in the province and 28 unsolved homicides. What is needed is nothing less than a total renewal of the relationship between Canada and the First Nations peoples.

“It is time for a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples”, Trudeau proclaimed.

Ontario also proposed 10 Pan-Canadian Actions to improve the situation for Aboriginal women and girls across Canada during the first National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in February 2015. We will deliver increased funding for First Nations education and we will work on education reforms for First Nations children that are led by First Nations.

“We recognize that a number of factors, like racism, marginalization, sexism, and poverty have contributed to the ongoing tragedy of murdered and missing indigenous women and girls”, said the Minister of the Status of Women, Patty Hajdu.

Nevertheless, Williams said that the national inquiry won’t necessarily bring a sense of closure or justice for her missing aunt and murdered cousin.

Delegates to CUPE’s recent national convention passed resolutions put forward by the union’s National Aboriginal Council committing the union to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Many point to Trudeau and his Cabinet’s action on launching a national inquiry on missing Indigenous women as one positive step toward improving Canada’s deeply damaged relations with indigenous people.

She told 660 NEWS it’s an emotional moment considering this comes on the heals of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the apology issued for residential schools.