AMC pleased with recent announcement from National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

July 20, 2018

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba

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Treaty One Territory, MBGrand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is pleased that on July 17, 2018, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) announced that it will be holding four additional hearings over the course of the Fall and early Winter 2018.

The additional hearings will cover the following topics:

    1. Colonial Violence – Socio-economic, health impacts, wellness
    2. The Family – Child Welfare, supports to family, domestic violence
    3. Oversight and Accountability in/or the Criminal Justice System
    4. Sexual Exploitation/Human Trafficking/Sexual Violence

On May 18, 2018, the AMC filed a notice of motion requesting that the issue of child welfare be included in the National Inquiry’s hearings.

Grand Chief Dumas said, “The inclusion of a hearing on families is consistent with AMC’s position that the issue of child welfare is directly connected to the violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls.”

The AMC’s research into and engagement with families of MMIWG and survivors reveals a direct link between the high rates of apprehension of First Nation children and the instances of MMIWG in Manitoba.

“We are pleased with the decision of the National Inquiry to conduct hearings on colonial violence, the family: chief welfare, supports to family, domestic violence, oversight and accountability in/of the criminal justice system; and sexual exploitation/human trafficking/sexual violence,” stated Chief Francine Meeches, Chairperson of the AMC Women’s Council. “The AMC will provide expertise on child welfare as both a cause and effect of the individual and systemic violence within First Nations families and how the issue of sexual exploitation/human trafficking link to MMIWG and the impact on families and survivors.”

In addition to its announcement of four more hearings, the Inquiry has indicated that it will continue to hear from families of MMIWG and survivors of violence.

“The AMC is pleased that the National Inquiry has listened to Manitoba families and survivors and the experiences shared by those directly affected must inform this process. The voices and strength of families and survivors have always been, and will continue to be, the driving force in this movement, stated Chief Meeches. “We encourage families and survivors who have not shared their truth to register with the National Inquiry to have their voices heard”.

The AMC anticipates, subject to funding availability, that it will fully participate in each additional hearing. Where limitations of funding will not allow full participation, the AMC will focus its action and contributions on the hearings involving The Family and Sexual Exploitation/Human Trafficking/Sexual Violence. The AMC looks forward to working with the Inquiry in a meaningful and thorough process towards to the conclusion of this national effort.