07) FIRST NATIONS LEADERS CALL FOR INQUIRY AND ACTION
First Nation leaders, women's groups, elders and youth gathered in a Circle of Hope in Halifax on July 16, offering a special tribute to missing and murdered Indigenous women during the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 35th Annual General Assembly which took place in Mi'kmaq territory.
The Circle of Hope, organized by the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association (NSNWA), the Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre and the Host Committee for the Annual General Meeting of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), coincided with resolutions being considered by the AFN's membership.
According to statistics released by the RCMP there are 1,181 murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada. Aboriginal women accounted for 16% of female homicides and 11.3% of missing women.
Cheryl Maloney, President of NSNWA said, "Based on the proportion of Aboriginal women in Canada these numbers are three to four times higher than the number of non-Aboriginal women who were either murdered or missing." She added, "Unless and until we get to the reasons why, the number of Aboriginal women whose lives will be cut short or who will vanish without a trace will continue to grow and more First Nation families and communities will be devastated."
Michele Audette, President of NWAC said, "We are here in solidarity to say that each and every woman counted among the almost 1200 who were murdered or are missing deserves justice. We will continue to speak up for them and for their families until the Federal Government responds to our pleas and takes concrete action to end the violence against Indigenous women."
Audette said events like the Circle of Hope help to capture the public's attention. "We are grateful for the support we continue to receive from members of the non-Aboriginal community, but also recognize that too many Canadians are still unaware of the pain this is causing First Nations people. The goal of the Circle of Hope and similar events held throughout the country is to help educate and enlighten the public to this national travesty so that they join us in demanding justice for all."
Assembly of First Nations Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis also spoke, continuing calls for a National Public Commission of Inquiry as well as for urgent and direct action to prevent violence against women and girls.
"We demand immediate action based on the fact that not one more woman or girl can be victimized and that no family member should spend another day without answers," said Chief Alexis. "Ending violence against Indigenous women is an urgent priority for First Nations across the country, and AFN continues the call for a coordinated National Action Plan, including a National Public Commission of Inquiry, as well as immediate direct investments in shelters and preventative support measures to keep the most vulnerable of our citizens safe and secure."
There was a special tribute to the families and to Marlene Bird who was recently a victim of violence in Saskatchewan. A blanket dance raised $4,508 for Marlene Bird's care and treatment.
The Assembly brought together more than 1,100 First Nation leaders, Elders and youth gathered from across the country to address priority issues and set direction and strategy for the coming weeks and months.
One of the key decisions was to set the location and timing for the next election for AFN National Chief, which will take place at a Special Chiefs Assembly in Winnipeg from December 9 to 11. AFN Quebec/Labrador Regional Chief Ghislain Picard will act as Interim National Chief until the December election.
The 302 Chiefs-in-Assembly taking part passed a number of resolutions in priority areas, including a commitment to fully review the way the AFN is structured and operates to ensure it evolves and adapts as First Nations rebuild their nations and assert their sovereignty and jurisdiction.
"I am honoured to take on the responsibility of interim National Chief and look forward to working together with the Executive Committee based on the clear direction of First Nations to ensure we take every opportunity to advance Aboriginal title, rights and Treaties in ways that will rebuild our nations and achieve safe and secure communities for all our peoples," said AFN Interim National Chief Ghislain Picard. "This has been an important Assembly for open and honest dialogue on our common priorities, our objectives and our organization. We must now move forward and take action based on this direction."
Other resolutions dealt with Treaty implementation; engaging on First Nations control of First Nations education respecting regional approaches, needs and diversity; funding for post-secondary education; appointment of a Chiefs Committee on hydraulic fracturing; and reconciliation and justice for survivors of residential schools, among others.
All resolutions will be available at www.afn.ca.
(The above article is from the August 1-31, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)