VAUGHAN, Ont. – An Ontario provincial police report on missing and murdered aboriginal people in their jurisdiction says very few cases remain unsolved.
The report shows 54 indigenous women were killed between 1956 and 2014 – and eight cases remain unsolved.
Forty aboriginal men reported missing during that time still haven’t been found and police say foul play is suspected for more than half.
Police are still looking for eight aboriginal women reported missing between 1957 and 2014 and say foul play is suspected in one case.
During the period of 1978 to 2014, 126 indigenous men were killed, with only one case still unsolved – although police say they hope their report will stir new leads.
Det. Supt. Dave Truax says there’s no evidence any of the slayings were the work of a serial killer.
The report does not cover cities that have their own police force but OPP say they’re releasing the data to spark a conversation about the issue of missing and murdered indigenous people.
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day says the report confirms once again that far too many First Nations people are victims of terrible crimes.
Most indigenous families feel the justice system works differently for them than for non-aboriginal people, he said.
Wednesday’s report shows the force’s commitment to bringing those families closure, and “represents one more step on the path to justice and reconciliation,” he said at a news conference north of Toronto.
Still, the chief stressed, more work needs to be done to combat institutionalized discrimination against indigenous people.
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