Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Voices Support for Action Group Dedicated to Safe Transportation
November 16, 2022
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
alexpapineau
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC, releases the following statement in support of the Action Group Dedicated to Safe Transportation for Indigenous Women, girls, and Two-Spirited LGBTQQIA+ peoples.
Yesterday, an announcement was made at the Canadian Human Right Museum of a new action group in Manitoba, where partnering cab companies commit to providing safe transportation to Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. A committee comprising the City of Winnipeg’s Vehicles for Hire department and local Indigenous women is committed to working with community members to implement an action plan set by a committee of concerned Indigenous mothers and grandmothers.
The initiative’s primary goal is not punitive justice but public safety and prevention of harm. There needs to be a dedicated role in handling complaints and concerns from city transit users. One part of the plan is to implement this role and hire an Indigenous woman to take these stories and situations to the committee. It also would require training for all current and future vehicle-for-hire drivers, including historical teachings from an Indigenous perspective and in-depth conduct and sensitivity courses.
“This work is important for First Nations women and girls and Two-Spirited LGBTQQIA+ peoples who have to leave their communities and come to the city for medical services and need to utilize cab services,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “It is important for them and all to have safe transportation when using taxicab services, free from any form of violence. No one should be afraid to use the city’s transportation services, and these services should always be safe spaces for First Nations women, girls, and Two-Spirited LGBTQQIA+ peoples.”
The initiatives will address the Call for Justice 4.8 found within the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Reclaiming Power and Place. “We call upon all governments to ensure that adequate plans and funding are put into place for safe and affordable transit and transportation services and infrastructure for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people living in remote or rural communities. Transportation should be sufficient and readily available to Indigenous communities, and in towns and cities located in all of the provinces and territories in Canada.”
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) people.