The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has released its interim report today, detailing the efforts of the first year of the inquiry. The inquiry has seen numerous delays, to the frustration of family members and Indigenous communities.
The interim report, ‘Our Women and Girls are Sacred,’ makes dozens of recommendations, including the immediate implementation of all Truth and Reconciliation recommendations; the creation of a national police force to whom cases can be referred; the full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, wherein Canada is currently in violation; the creation of a commemorative fund for families; increased funding for resolution health services – as already established for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help families work through trauma.
“The report recognizes Indigenous people have not been supported by the justice system, including police and have often faced brutal forms of racism and violence at the hands of police officers,” said Deb Tveit, Assistant to the National President and Indigenous woman. “If reconciliation is to happen, Indigenous people need to start to have a reason to trust the systems and governments who have so long betrayed us.”
There were also a number of recommendations into the actual inquiry process in order to make it more meaningful and accessible to families of missing and murdered women, girls and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer and two-spirited people (LGBTQ2S).
Unifor is urging greater co-operation by all levels of government with the National Inquiry and for all levels of government to immediately meet their obligations under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“Our solidarity and hearts are with the families of the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S people, for whom justice has been so long withheld,” said Mohamad Alsadi, Human Rights and International Director. “We remain hopeful that this inquiry will lead to actual change that will end the violence perpetrated against generations of Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S people.”
Read the full report here: http://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/files/ni-mmiwg-interim-report-en.pdf