Community Engagement & Research Initial Results Alberta Victims Services Policy and Program Development Branch Alberta Justice and Solicitor General 1

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Participating communities across the Province: ChatehPiikaniSaddle Lake Cree Nation BushieBlood TribeSamson Cree Nation Fox LakeErmineskin Cree NationSturgeon Lake Cree Nation Lac La BicheLethbridgeValleyview EdmontonGrande PrairieFort McMurray* Wabasca/Big Stone Cree Nation Victim Service Units: Mackenzie, Rainbow/Assumption, Lac La Biche, High Level, Lethbridge (City and RCMP), Ranchlands, Valleyview, Blood Tribe, Grand Prairie, Fort McMurray, Maskwacis, Wabasca Regional RCMP KARE, RCMP K Division Municipal and Tribal Police Forces in Alberta ACT, CEASE, SNUG, IAAW Aboriginal community members Justice Canada Alberta Victims Services The countless other individuals and organizations that have contributed their wisdom and expertise to this initiative

“One woman goes missing, then another, then another. For a long time only those who know and love them pay attention. Until the numbers start to add up.” - Finding Dawn 3

What is the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women’s Initiative? 4 Research based initiative with the goal to develop: An Alberta Victim Services Service Delivery Framework

Objectives 5 Establish base line data Identify any geographical considerations Identify existing & needed support resources Identify system gaps Examine current laws & policies Engage with Aboriginal communities about their cultural safety needs Disseminate information Develop the framework

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Methodology – Guiding Principles 7 Respect Consent Responsibility Gender-Based analysis Plus (GBA+)

How was the Research conducted? 8 Two main activities: Literature review Mixed methodological study

Literature Review 9 Inform issue Provide themes Indigenous research methodology Design of data collection instruments

Mixed Methods Study 10 Participant Questionnaire Stakeholder engagement Community engagement

11 What We Heard

Root Causes: Thoughts from Participants Intergenerational Trauma PovertyAddictions Lack of identity/ culture/ self worth Racism Human Trafficking Gang Involvement Sex Trade involvement Domestic Violence Lateral Violence Sexism Family Breakdown

How does this connect? Isolation (geography) Lack of housing Lack of specialized shelters Difficulty accessing counselling Transportation challenges Employment shortages/ living in poverty Women/girls leave their communities with no knowledge of city life Child Welfare involvement Transience

Lack of Awareness 14 Societal racism/sexism pervasive regarding Indigenous women assumptions, myths and stereotypes lack of understanding of historical context/roots harmful language compounds trauma/increases risk Indigenous Communities little knowledge of colonization and its impacts assimilation policies, residential schools, 60’s scoop traditional values, beliefs & ways of knowing lateral violence

System Challenges 15 Resources Police Response Need for safety planning Need to consider cultural safety when delivering services to Indigenous people Rural-urban migration of Indigenous people Connection to human trafficking?

Supporting Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (and Girls) Supporting Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (and Girls) Specific ideas from Participants

Supporting Families – Promising Practices Better understanding of what support is needed by the families when they have lost a loved one Dedicated resources: homicide & missing Consistent referrals to victim services Partnerships between service organizations (KARE/Metis Child & Family Services) Written statements for media – focus on the person not the lifestyle choices, provide opportunities for understanding

Need for Enhanced Service Provision identified Community building –Presentations/education on related issues –Youth engagement strategy Continuity of service Crisis support teams Prevention activities

Other Strategies to Decrease Risk Increase street/structural safety in communities Comprehensive early intervention programs Other training – eg. “Moving to the city” education Governance support – Chief and Council, and population as a whole Increased human services staffing Youth centres, more shelters Improved access to all service providers Community crisis lines Safety Strategies –Toolkits (ID kits, contact information) –Self defense –Establishing a “contact schedule” –Community patrols

What’s next? Community dissemination events Resource Guides & Directory Provincial Framework Policy/Legislative review Missing Persons Policy for Victims Services Annotated Research Bibliography

Elder's Meditation "We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the sacred gift of life." Traditional Circle of Elders. ONONDAGA At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today. Grandfather, show me how to see in a sacred way.