Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the federal government to move forward with a National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada that will improve and fill the gaps that currently exist within our society and First Nation communities and facilitate better community and coordination within the justice system closing the cases on missing and murdered indigenous women.
WHEREAS the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People provides a legal framework essential to the promotion of Aboriginal rights both in Canada and abroad;
WHEREAS Indigenous Women continue to be victimized by systematic discrimination and are disproportionately targeted by violence;
WHEREAS according to a 2014 RCMP report “Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: A National Operational Overview,” the number of indigenous women who have gone missing or have been found murdered since 1980 was over 1,100;
WHEREAS the City of Lethbridge has a large First Nations population and is in close proximity to two of the largest First Nation reserves in this country;
WHEREAS the Province of Alberta has the second highest rate of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada; and
WHEREAS Indigenous Women are four times more likely to go missing or be found murdered than non-indigenous women.
The federal government confirmed that it would launch a national inquiry to address the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. As a next step, the federal government sought input on how the inquiry should be undertaken. AUMA provided input. Click here to read our letter to the federal government.
AUMA considers this response.
While the announcement of the inquiry is very promising, the scope, methodology and timelines have not been confirmed and will likely be dependent on the results of the consultation. As well, it is unclear how this initiative will be coordinated with provincial and municipal governments.