Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs – First Nations Family Advocate Office Acknowledge MACY Special Report: Memengwaa Wiidoodaagewin (Butterfly Project)
June 23, 2023
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
TRIGGER WARNING: This media release contains sensitive information about the 2020 police-involved shooting death of Eishia Hudson. Mental health counselling and crisis support are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs – First Nations Family Advocate Office (AMC-FNFAO) acknowledges the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY) special report titled, Memengwaa Wiidoodaagewin (Butterfly Project): Honouring Eishia Hudson. The report sheds light on Indigenous youth’s systemic challenges and emphasizes the urgent need for transformative change within the child welfare and justice systems.
The findings of the MACY report reaffirm the long-standing concerns raised by the AMC-FNFAO in our ongoing work to address the issues of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+). We acknowledge the tireless efforts and strength of Eishia Hudson’s family as they seek justice, and we extend our heartfelt condolences and support to them during this challenging time.
On April 8, 2020, Eishia Hudson was shot and killed by a Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) officer at 16. She became one of three Indigenous people who were killed by a WPS officer in the span of 10 days in the spring of 2020. On April 19, 2022, the FNFAO was granted standing in the provincial inquest into the death of Eishia Hudson. Eishia’s death is a tragic reminder of how colonial systems produce unacceptable outcomes for First Nations youth. The FNFAO is uniquely situated to serve the voice of First Nations youth for the Inquest and hopes that this process will address some of the systemic issues faced by First Nations youth when encountering these systems.
“As the FNFAO actively engages in the Eishia Hudson Inquest, we remain committed to our ongoing efforts in addressing the root causes of violence against First Nations women, girls, and 2-Spirit individuals,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “We firmly believe that this tragedy and the experiences of Eishia Hudson and her family reflect the broader patterns of violence and systemic racism faced by our First Nations.”
To include the viewpoints of First Nations youth in the Inquest, the FNFAO will establish a Youth Advisory Group (YAG). This group will consist of First Nations youth with firsthand experience in the child and family services and justice systems. They will contribute to engagement sessions to gather experiences with discrimination and racism within these systems, their overlap, and their interactions with the WPS and other Manitoba police forces.
“Our collective responsibility is to dismantle systemic barriers perpetuating violence, discrimination, and injustice against First Nations youth. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, we strive to create a future where our children are protected, nurtured, and empowered,” concluded Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.
To access the full MACY engagement report on the death of Eishia Hudson, please visit:
https://manitobaadvocate.ca/reports-publications/special-reports/.
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.