Chiefs demand inquiry into missing, murdered women

June 3, 2014
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Union of Ontario Indians Social Services Director Adrienne Pelletier introduce the resolution on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women to Chiefs at Assembly on June 3rd in Long Lake #58 First Nation.
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and Union of Ontario Indians Social Services Director Adrienne Pelletier introduce the resolution on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women to Chiefs at Assembly on June 3rd in Long Lake #58 First Nation.

By Marci Becking

LONG LAKE #58 – Anishinabek Nation Chiefs have unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Government of Canada to launch a National Inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada.

Adrienne Pelletier, Social Services Director for the Union of Ontario Indians, told the Annual General Assembly that her department is working in conjunction with the UOI Health department, providing training for men who have experienced sexual assault and work with healing lodges and shelters.

“The Anishinabek Nation is working to end violence in our communities and in our broader urban communities to spread the message that no level of violence is acceptable,” says Pelletier. “We all need to do our part to bring about a more peaceful society.”

Bonnie Bressettte, Anishinabek Nation women’s council member, says First Nations must continue to press the Harper government on this issue.

“The residential schools, 60s Scoop, murdered and missing women… communities need to do more, all across Canada. These women have left behind grandmothers, grandfathers, aunties, uncles and children.”

Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee says that the women’s council will also be involved with working to end violence in our communities.

The resolution calls on all levels of government to work with community organizations including the Native Women’s Association of Canada and urges reinstatement of funding to NWAC to continue their advocacy work for over 1200 missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.