NationTalk: (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C.) Today marks four years since the conclusion of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+). Of the 231 Calls for Justice (CFJ), over half have not been started, and only two have been implemented (see CBC Report Card). UBCIC calls for federal legislation to compel Canada to take urgent action to end the MMIWG2S+ crisis.
Canada’s follow up to the National Inquiry has been disgracefully slow, piecemeal, and lacked the urgency, actions, and accountability required to end this ongoing genocide. In Canada’s recent June 3rd, 2023 release of the Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report, the government highlights its progress to reduce violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people including steps towards
- Call for Justice # 1.10 to create an oversight mechanism and
- Call for Justice # 1.7 to create an Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson.
Canada’s half measures are placing the burden of violence-prevention and advocacy on First Nations and families of MMIWG2S+ and are insufficient to transform the realities of systemic colonial violence. UBCIC stands firmly with survivors and families of MMIWG2S+. UBCIC calls on Canada to expedite implementation of the CFJ and to work with Indigenous peoples, survivors and families of MMIWG2S+ to co-develop federal legislation to enshrine accountability and legal standards for ending and responding to cases of MMIWG2S+ into Canadian law.
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Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721
UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca