WATCH ABOVE: 16×9’s “The Missing and the Murdered.”
There was a sense of optimism coupled with realism when Canadian federal ministers, premiers, chiefs and families of victims came together last week for a national roundtable discussion on missing and murdered indigenous women.
“Families are looking for action today to make sure they’re supported in their time of need, making sure they’re protected when they experience these violent crimes,” said Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Kellie Leitch.
There was talk of action plans, creating a framework to raise awareness and plans to meet again next year, but no new money from the federal government and no inquiry. That left women, such as Bernadette Smith whose sister Claudette Osborne went missing in 2008, disappointed.
“No, I don’t think she would be happy,” Smith said of her sister. “I’m definitely not walking out of there saying ‘Yippee!’”
WATCH BELOW: An extended interview with Bernadette Smith
Since 1980, almost 1,200 aboriginal women have gone missing or been murdered in Canada. Indigenous women make up 16 per cent of all female murder victims in Canada and almost 12 per cent of all missing people.
“If you equated that to non-indigenous women that would be 20,000 white women. And I think the army would be called out or something would be done,” Smith said.
Many indigenous women face poverty, addiction and abuse.
Over the last year, talk around the issue has been re-ignited, after the high profile murder of 15-year old Tina Fontaine in Winnipeg.
“I hope her death isn’t in vain,” said Tina’s great aunt Thelma Favel. “I hope people open their eyes.”
What action should be done depends on who is doing the talking. Some want an inquiry; others want more money for prevention programs, others just want acknowledgment that women are being killed.
“What does an inquiry do? It’s just all talk again and people writing things on paper,” said Favel. “Paper is easily thrown away.”
“Why are indigenous women and girls treated and viewed differently?” asked National Chief Perry Bellegarde. Bellegarde attended the national roundtable.
WATCH BELOW: An extended interview with National Chief Perry Bellegarde
“The outcome from today was of course the framework was adopted. And again the framework we talked about deals with the three areas about prevention and awareness,” said Bellegarde.
National Chief Bellegarde called the roundtable the first step in working towards a solution. “We’re still moving towards the call for a federal inquiry.”
The federal government refuses to have an inquiry, but has promised $25 million over the next five years to address the issue. But Bernadette Smith said that, given the scope of the issue, it isn’t enough for one province, let alone Canada.
“And when you’re looking at 33 First Nation communities in Manitoba alone and you divide that you know $5 million over one year you can’t even build a house,” Smith said.
16×9’s “The Missing and the Murdered” airs this Saturday at 7pm.
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