“We need to see investments and efforts made in Manitoba to implement the Final Report and 231 Calls for Justice.”
-Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2023
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is issuing this statement on the fourth anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), which includes 231 Calls for Justice.
“Today, it is four years since the release of Reclaiming Power and Place. This report provides a pathway for society to address the national emergency of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people,” stated Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Once again, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization calls on all levels of government to work with First Nations on an urgent basis to address the ongoing violence perpetuated against our women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people.”
Earlier this year, the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability shared that 850 women were murdered in the last five years and the numbers are rising. On average, one women or girl was killed every 48 hours. A disproportionate number were First Nations.
In 2019, the National Inquiry into MMIWG concluded the violence perpetuated against Indigenous women in Canada amounted to genocide. In 2021, a National Action Plan was released, and in January of 2023 the federal government hosted a National Roundtable, bringing together provincial and territorial leaders as well as families, survivors, and Indigenous leadership, to focus on the issue.
“Progress has also been slow in terms of implementing the 231 Calls for Justice,” shared Grand Chief Daniels “We know there are many advocates and family members who continue to push for justice for their loved ones. We stand with all impacted citizens. We are grateful for the passage of the motion unanimously adopted by all parties in the House of Commons on May 2 to recognize the ongoing genocide as a Canada-wide emergency. This motion recognized decades of insufficient action from all levels of government. It is essential to address the effects of this national crisis with the urgency it deserves.”
“In the Province of Manitoba, ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people does not appear to be a priority for the government,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “We are the only western province without an action plan to implement the final report and Calls for Justice. There are no excuses for this inaction and lack of investment into this ongoing national emergency. The lives of our women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people are depending on leadership to step up and address this crisis.”
SCO is committed to ending gender-based violence. SCO is a founding member of Giganawenimaanaanig (the Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee), a coalition of Indigenous organizations that have come together to advocate and implement the Calls for Justice. We are working to create a dedicated team to provide advocacy, supports, resources, and change for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+).
Every October 4 we launch an education and awareness campaign and in 2021 we conducted a survey to learn more about the priorities of southern First Nations regarding the 231 Calls for Justice. We also launched our Survivors’ Healing Program to provide support to Survivors and those who are impacted by MMIWG2S+. This work moves forward without any funding or resource support from the Province of Manitoba.
If anyone requires immediate emotional support, please call the national, independent toll free 24/7 support line 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. This service is available in English, Anishnaabemowin, Cree, and French.
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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