Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stresses need for nation to nation relationship

“The extent of violence against Indigenous women and girls is not an indigenous problem”, Wilson-Raybould, herself an indigenous woman, said.

The Liberal government is launching the first phase of a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, the justice minister said Tuesday. “What’s needed is nothing less than a total renewal between Canada and First Nations people”.

A 2014 RCMP report found that of 1,181 investigations into missing and murdered aboriginal women across Canada between 1980 and 2012, 1,017 were homicide victims and 164 women are considered missing.

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

“In his mandate letter to each and every cabinet minister, Prime Minister Trudeau wrote it is time for a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples”, Bellegarde said.

AFN national chief Perry Bellegarde said aboriginal people had always been calling on the government to bring an end to the crisis.

Harper had refused to launch an investigation into the murder and missing people incidents, even after the United Nations had voiced its concerns over the disproportionate number of cases.

“Chief Ava Hill from Six Nations said this morning “(Trudeau) is an expressionist for true partnership.I’m glad he’s listened to us.We need to keep his feet to the fire to ensure follow through.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the inquiry is a “top priority” of the Liberal government.

After Mr Trudeau’s speech, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Minister of Status of Women Patricia Hajdu outlined the first steps of the inquiry. “As we chart a path forward, we will work hand-in-hand with Indigenous organizations, the federal government and other provinces and territories to strengthen existing initiatives and take a coordinated approach to ending violence against Indigenous women and girls”.

The Canadian government forced more than 150,000 First Nation children to attend these schools from the 19th Century until the mid-1990s.

For more information on support for a National Public Inquiry and work toward an action plan to address and end violence please visit: http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/i-pledge.-end-violence. He promised funding for education and a “respectful” relationship. However, some feel the government dropped the bill when it was opposed by the AFN, which complained that First Nations had not been appropriately consulted.

On Tuesday, Bennett said the timeline and the cost of the inquiry could be adjusted, insisting the two-year window was “a placeholder” in the party’s election platform.

Robinson says it’s important that Ottawa take the wishes of families into consideration before the inquiry begins.

The Liberals have promised to spend two years and $40 million on the study.