SUMA joins call for national inquiry into missing, murdered Aboriginal women
- EFN Staff | February 04, 2015
The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) threw its support behind the call to the Federal Government for a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. On February 3, 2015, the City of North Battleford put forward a Resolution that was passed with strong support at the SUMA Convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
“We must stand together on these high priority issues of concern. It is clear that the alarmingly high rates of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women in Saskatchewan and across Canada is raising a lot of questions to which an inquiry would bring answers” says Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Interim Chief Jonathan. She notes the Federation is grateful for SUMA's support.
The FSIN notes that this year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police released a report that found 1,181 known cases of murdered or missing indigenous women in Canada. The RCMP Report found that Aboriginal female victims were less than likely to be killed by a current or former spouse than non-Aboriginal female victims (29% compared to 41%). In Saskatchewan, Indigenous women make up 15% of the total female population yet they make up 55% of all female homicide victims.
The calls for a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women have been echoed loudly by many across Canada and internationally. The need for the National Inquiry has gained support from municipalities, Canadian provinces, the United Nations, human rights groups, International rights groups, the Canadian Senate, First Nation organizations, women’s groups, advocates, Indigenous leadership and families of the victims.
“Most importantly, the call for an Inquiry is coming from our Indigenous women that want to be assured that they will be safe and protected from harm,” says Jonathan. “I have received an Open Letter from Indigenous women from the Treaty No.6 and No.4 territories that are calling for an Independent National Inquiry and will be delivering this to the Prime Minister.” She says the letter has been signed by the women who attended a Women’s Treaty Gathering in North Battleford on the dates of January 19-21, 2015.
“The National Inquiry is an opportunity to find solutions and understand the reasons that society in general is failing missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. It also provides families of the victims with reconciliation,” says Jonathan. “Inquiries have proven to be significant in finding the appropriate solutions to systemic or persisting injustices, for example the Pickton Inquiry or the McDonald Commission.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt and Prime Minster Stephen Harper have rejected the calls for a National Inquiry.
Jonathan states that, “The continued support for a National Inquiry from all organizations, all levels of government, all advocacy groups, and all citizens groups is strongly encouraged. It is the right thing to do for our Indigenous women, girls, children, and communities.”