Canadians must play role in stopping violence against Indigenous women, girls

OTTAWA – The Crown-Indigenous relations minister says all Canadians need to understand what the federal government wants to accomplish with its national action plan to address the heinous tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Minister Carolyn Bennett says all Canadians need to play a part in stopping the violence.

“And I hope that every Canadian now understands their role in decolonizing, in healing, in being able to learn how to be allies, such that this becomes part of the DNA of every Canadian, so that no future government could ever roll it back or slow it down.”

As horrific as it is, Bennett says the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school site in Kamloops will be a catalyst.

“This week has opened the eyes of many Canadians,” Bennett said. “Like George Floyd did, like Joyce Echaquan, they now know the truth. You can’t unknow the truth.”

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• Advocate calls for substantive changes for MMIWG on National Day of Awareness

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The action plan was released on Thursday. It includes sweeping commitments from the federal government, and comes two years after the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls identified systemic barriers.

Trauma-informed training for those who work with Indigenous people and a public education campaign are among the immediate steps.

However, some critics say the document is merely a preliminary framework that falls short of the urgent action needed.

The federal government has released its own pathway, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying it focuses on four themes: culture, health and wellness, security and safety, and justice.

Trudeau says more details are coming, with the aim of stopping violence against Indigenous women, girls, LGBTQ, and two-spirited people.

An implementation document for the action plan is expected before July, and should come with more detailed timelines and spending.