愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Advocates frustrated with inaction over missing and murdered Indigenous women

Share

Three years after the final report into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was released, advocates say little has been accomplished to prevent further deaths.

On June 3, 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on the matter, titled 鈥淩eclaiming Power and Place.鈥

The national inquiry called the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada a "genocide" and included 231 "calls for justice" in its report.

But on the anniversary of the report鈥檚 release, deaths continue to happen and advocates are calling on the federal government to fulfill its commitment to end violence against Indigenous women.

In Winnipeg, , the most recent involving , a 31-year-old mother to four children.

"It's really difficult to find the words to describe what is happening here in Winnipeg," said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, chair of the and Perry's aunt, during a vigil honouring her niece.

"We've had three tragic losses of Indigenous women within a 10-day span. It's very heartbreaking to the community and very devastating to the families that are impacted, and it diminishes hope that there's change occurring."

Despite representing about five per cent of Canada's population, Indigenous people made up 28 per cent of all homicide victims in 2020. The homicide rate for Indigenous men and women compared to non-Indigenous men and women was nearly eight and 5.5 times greater, respectively.

"It's very disconcerting to realize that after three years, we're still having these discussions and conversations about what is happening in our streets, and it is very alarming still to this day that we have to gather together to mourn the lives of Indigenous women," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who has been to two vigils in the last two weeks.

"This is not acceptable. This can't be the norm."

On Friday, the Native Women's Association of Canada released an analysis saying that while the federal government has committed funding, little has been done to directly support survivors and families, calling the National Action Plan "a recipe for inaction."

The federal government on Friday, saying progress has been made but more work lies ahead.

"That people basically have to compete for it, apply for it, it comes in late, it's not enough. We're not seeing that transformational change, government providing the resources to communities to do the work that needs to be done," Lynne Groulx, CEO of the Native Women's Association of Canada, said.

"So we're very concerned that we're not headed in the right direction that way, and that the government is not making this the priority that it really needs to make it."

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller said while the National Action Plan came with $2 billion, they also have to look at the reports' conclusions.

"This isn't a day to make excuses, particularly since we've seen increased violence against women during the pandemic, but really to move forward acknowledging that criticism and the work that needs to be done," he said.

With files from The Canadian Press

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The Maritime Sikh Society says the body of a young employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax last weekend was found by her mother.

Four people are dead and another is in hospital after a Tesla driving through downtown Toronto at a high rate of speed crashed into a guardrail and struck a concrete pillar on Lake Shore Boulevard.

Montreal police say four teenagers suffered stab wounds after an altercation near John F. Kennedy High School in the city's Villeray鈥擲aint-Michel鈥擯arc-Extension borough on Thursday.

The Ottawa Police Service has identified the woman who was stabbed to death at Paul Landry Park on Uplands Drive Thursday morning.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Stay Connected