MMIWG – Press Release

June 4, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PDF

SCO Press Release – MMIWG Report

June 03, 2019

Ottawa – Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels was in attendance today as the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA was released to the public. The 1,200 page report was presented by Indigenous youth to Prime Minister Trudeau and several ministers from across the country at a ceremony in the nations’ capital.

The three-year national inquiry heard over 2000 testimonials and formulated 231 recommendations to stem this violence that cannot be overlooked anymore. A lack of statistics to properly document the dangerous pattern has led to a downplaying of the impact it has had on Indigenous Nations and their families. The report calls the violence a “Canadian genocide”, a term that was not repeated by the Prime Minister during his speech today and has been contested by former ministers in the public. However, it is important that we support the voices, findings and definitions of the report. The commissioner’s use the word “genocide” to define the systemic failings by the justice system and policing bodies to properly document and investigate crimes against Indigenous victims.

Some of the report’s recommendations are:

  • Create an independent mechanism to monitor whether the inquiry’s recommendations are being followed
  • Create a crisis team for cases of missing Indigenous women and girls
  • Compel police to compile statistics on the disappearances of Indigenous people and crimes against them
  • Make more resources available to victims
  • Incorporate mandatory curriculum training in schools (including universities) on socio-cultural realities of Indigenous peoples

The report and its findings further highlight the importance for First Nations to have more jurisdictional control over our people to be able to better support, sustain and protect our families. Assimilationist policies and state neglect have been pervasive to the development and growth of Anishinaabe and Dakota for far too long. SCO was a signatory on the MMIWG – Manitoba Coalition, and we encourage all levels of government to start taking steps towards the implementation of the recommendations.

SCO will be hosting commemoration events in two of our communities in Southern Manitoba to support survivors and families that been impacted by the violence against First Nations women, girls and 2 spirit people. The release of the final report is not the end of the discussion or epidemic, and it is vital to keep making space for the dialogue and healing to continue. The events will be June 10th, 2019 in Sagkeeng First Nation, and June 25th, 2019 in Ebb & Flow First Nation.

Contact Nicole about the commemorative activities:
Nicole Everett – Violence Prevention & Safety Coordinator
nicole.everett@scoinc.mb.ca
(204) 946-1869