It’s Time for the Cycles of Violence to End Once and For All – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2022
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — As we observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and remember the tragic murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal on Dec. 6, 1989, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) calls for an end to all forms of violence against women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people.
“In the past week, we learned that four women from our communities were taken from us by an alleged male serial killer. This shows how much still needs to be done to protect our women and to address gender-based violence,” stated SCO Grand Chief Daniels. “Today, and every day, I join in a renewed call to end the national tragedy of gender-based violence towards all women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people.”
Today, we remember and say the names of Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
Here, in what is now known as Manitoba, we also honour and remember Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and our unidentified sister now known as Buffalo Woman, until her identity is found. SCO continues to intentionally not name the man charged with the murders of these women and encourages media outlets and others to do the same.
SCO is a Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Coalition partner since its inception and was a Party with Standing before the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
SCO has introduced initiatives to improve the safety of women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people, including our newly formed Mobile Crisis Response Team, Survivors Healing Program and MMIWG2S+ Liaison, and future affordable housing options that will come with the redevelopment of the Hudson’s Bay building in the city’s downtown, as well as launching a significant awareness campaign in southern Manitoba. SCO is also advocating for improved vehicle for hire legislation in Winnipeg.
“There is clearly much more work to be done. On this national day of mourning, we remind our Treaty partners of their responsibilities—to listen to the voices of First Nation women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people. Let’s work to create a province and country where everyone finally feels safe,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “I call on all governments and Canadian institutions to fully implement the 231 Calls for Justice stemming from the National Inquiry’s final report. Our people and Nations are relentlessly grieving. This must stop.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 83,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca