Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women in Canada Francis Furfaro Confederation College CF-OL848

Overview Introduction Background Government Response Awareness Campaigns Conclusion

Introduction Appalling statistics have recently been released by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) indicating that there are over 1000 Indigenous women who have been reported missing or murdered since To date these figures are believed to be closer to 1200 women. Almost a quarter of these cases remain unsolved. These brutal statistics are a clear indication of the level of violence faced in today’s society by Indigenous women and girls.

Background The number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women is cause for great concern in Canadian society. Since 1980 there have been reports of over 1200 women who are missing or have been killed. These numbers are grossly disproportionate when compared to any other culture or heritage. In recent years, activists and community members alike have taken to protesting the current course of action taken by the Government of Canada. While some steps have been taken to get to the bottom of these horrible stories, it is of general consensus that the Government should begin a national inquiry into all missing and murdered Aboriginal Women!

“Aboriginal women and girls are at significantly higher risk of violence – a 2009 Statistics Canada survey found that Aboriginal women are almost three times more likely to be violently victimized than non-Aboriginal women. The majority of those victims are between 15 and 34 years of age. This violence is often not an isolated event; many Aboriginal women have reported experiencing repeated episodes of violence.”

“The loss of almost 1,200 Indigenous women and girls is not an indigenous issue, it's a Canadian issue.”- Perry Bellegarde, AFN National Chief

Government Response Although much blame and lack of responsibility accusations have been directed towards the Canadian Government, and in particular, Stephen Harper, the government has taken some reactive measures into helping the issue. In 2014 the Government of Canada along with “the Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Justice, Public Safety and Canadian Heritage” researched and published: “Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crime Against Aboriginal Women and Girls”

Along with the Action Plan, the Government of Canada has alloted $25 Million Dollars for use over the next five years ( ) to implement and improve the Action Plan. This money will be used to fund shelters on reserves, instill violence prevention/deterrence techniques, as well as the creation and implementation of a DNA based missing persons case.

Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crime Against Aboriginal Women and Girls The document, which is available online as a pdf file (see attached, top) was designed to address several key elements. First, the Prevention of Violence Second, Supporting the Victims Third, Protection of Aboriginal Women and Girls

Violence Prevention According to the report, lower education levels and poverty are directly correlated to the violence against Aboriginal women. In order to prevent this violence a clear message has been sent stating that violence in unacceptable at any level. By educating the youth and creating better measures, it is hoped that the violence can be prevented. Aboriginal Head Start on-and-off Reserve Program aims to help at-risk youth and families by providing them with the necessary tools to overcome and avoid the violence.

Victim Support The“Tackling Violent Crime Act and the Safe Streets and Communities Act”, which strengthens the power of the Criminal Code, and in turn, mandates tougher and lengthier sentences for violent offenders. “The Victims Bill of Rights” is a first of its kind bill that provides victims with the right to specific information about their case and programs available to them. It also provides them with the right to protection in regards to their privacy, the right to participation which allows victims the right to prepare a statement as well as be involved with the case should they wish. Finally, the bill provides the right to restitution in which “Victims would have the right to have the court consider making a restitution order for all offences for which there are easy-to-calculate financial losses.”

Protection of Aboriginal Women and Girls Shelters provide many people with the stability and protection they require while enduring a violent crisis. They provide a safe- haven for women and protect them from further violent acts. Recently the Government of Canada has secured funding for over $150 million dollars to put towards the direct support of shelters across Canada.

Awareness Campaigns REDress Project - Created by Jaime Black in early 2015, the REDress project was designed to raise awareness about the astonishing number of missing or murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. The campaign involved hanging red dresses all over campus at a few different schools. Confederation College’s Thunder Bay Campus was one of the participants and it really presented a haunting image. To see the dresses swinging outside from a tree, subjected to the harsh winter weather conditions really raised awareness about the number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and inspired this seminar.

REDress Project

Hashtags (‘tagging’ of events or key words on social media) #Whereareourwomen – a well established hashtag used to bring awareness to the government and citizens as well. The hashtag gained popularity following Aboriginal Music Award winning group Winnipeg Boyz promoting the question. See link below. murdered-women-at-awards-show murdered-women-at-awards-show

Conclusion Overall, the level of violence against Aboriginal women clearly paints a disturbing image in ones mind. It is a matter of national concern that this violence comes to an end and all the affected individuals are properly cared for. With proper education alongside social work programs, we can hope to eradicate this violence from our communities and homes once and for all.

Works Cited Voices of Our Sisters in Spirit: A Report to Families and Communities. Second ed Print. Statistics Canada Violent victimization of Aboriginal women in the Canadian provinces, Ottawa: Minister of Industry, p. 7. Available at: missing-murdered-indigenous-women missing-murdered-indigenous-women of-aboriginal-women-un-report of-aboriginal-women-un-report girls-understanding-the-numbers