The National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report today, which provides over 230 recommendations and Calls for Justice to address extensive cases of acts of violence against Indigenous women and girls throughout Canada’s history, and to prevent further incidents.
The report highlights what it calls persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations, contributing to the high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls experienced across the country.
“The truths shared in these National Inquiry hearings tell the story – or, more accurately, thousands of stories – of acts of genocide against First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”
-Executive Summary of the Final Report
Speaking at a ceremony today, during the release of the report, Chief Commissioner Marion Buller said these acts of colonialism, discrimination and genocide explain the high rate of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
(Ceremony at the close of the Inquiry, courtesy CPAC.)
“This paradigm shift must come from all levels of government and public institutions. Ideologies and instruments of colonialism, racism and misogyny—past and present—must be rejected,” Buller stated.
The report is the result of gathering evidence and truths of more than 2,380 people—family members, survivors of violence, experts and others—over a two-year period, leading to the creation of over 230 recommendations to multiple levels of government.
“The steps to end and redress this genocide must be no less monumental than the combination of systems and actions that has worked to maintain colonial violence for generations. A permanent commitment to ending the genocide requires addressing the four pathways explored within this report, namely:
- historical, multigenerational, and intergenerational trauma;
- social and economic marginalization;
- maintaining the status quo and institutional lack of will; and
- ignoring the agency and expertise of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”
The report calls violence against Indigenous women a form of genocide and a crisis.
Buller issued a call for true equality for Indigenous people, calling on all Canadians to be part of the solution.
Find the full report at this link, or the executive summary at this link.
Nunatsiavut Government Offers Thanks
The President of the Nunatsiavut Government is thanking the participants who spoke during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
President Johannes Lampe acknowledged the Labrador Inuit who participated in the truth gathering process. He also offered this thanks for the commissioners and staff who spend countless hours listening and learning and compiling the report.
The Calls for Justice, outlined in the report, if implemented, says Lampe will help in the healing process and ensure that future generations of women, girls and other 2SLGBTQQIA members of the community will no longer have to live in fear of violence and persecution.
Lampe also offered his thanks to Charlotte Woolfrey, the AngajukKâk for Rigolet, for helping to lead the way for Labrador Inuit and for sharing her tragic story.
NunatuKavut Community Council Seeks Immediate Federal Action
The NunatuKavut Community Council is seeking immediate action from the federal government in light of the report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The NCC had official legalstanding at the inquiry.
It is calling for access to First Nations and Inuit Health Branch programming, a committment to an educational system that reflects what it calls the “fundamental truths” of the people of NunatuKavut, and spending on infrastructure in NunatuKavut communities to allow for the delivery of community health and wellness initiatives.
View the final report from the Inquiry Into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls at this link.
