Calls for missing Aboriginal women inquiry grow louder

The Ontario Native Women’s Association is disappointed an inquiry into missing and murdered women was not created after an arrest in the deaths of three Aboriginal women.
“The lack of meaningful response from both the provincial and federal governments on the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women is extremely disappointing and frustrating,” said Betty Kennedy, ONWA’s executive director. “This is a significant problem that exists across provinces, with an estimated 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women throughout Canada.”
ONWA and a number of First Nation leaders, communities and organizations had called for action by July 10 from the federal government after a man was arrested in Winnipeg in late June for the deaths of three Aboriginal women.
“Violence against our women and girls is utterly unacceptable — this must end,” said National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “We must work together now and this includes recognizing the deep connection between violence and the realities too many of our peoples face.”
Shawn Cameron Lamb, 52, was charged with three counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Tanya Jane Nepinak, 31, Carolyn Sinclair, 25, and Lorna Blacksmith, 18.
Nepinak is still missing — she was last seen on September 13, 2011 in the downtown area of Winnipeg.
Sinclair’s body was discovered on March 31 at the rear of an apartment complex in Winnipeg more than two months after police requested assistance to locate her.
Blacksmith’s body was tentatively identified on June 21 in Winnipeg, more than four months after she was reported missing.
“The loss of these three young Aboriginal women is devastating,” said Churchill MP Niki Ashton, the New Democratic Party critic for the Status of Women. “Tragically, they are part of a pattern in Canada — where Aboriginal women are more often the targets of violence and death. This is an issue that the government must take action on rather than cutting funding to groups that are trying to make a difference.”
The federal government denied a funding renewal in 2010 for the Sisters in Spirit initiative, which began operations in 2005 to raise awareness of and address the large number of cases of murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada.
“The government needs to launch a national inquiry so that we can get to the root of these tragedies,” Ashton said. “We have to address not only the violence itself but the systemic inequalities that lead to the vulnerability and targeting of aboriginal women.”
The Assembly of First Nations will be presenting a draft strategy aimed at ending violence against women and girls during the Annual General Assembly, being held July 17-19 in Toronto. The strategy was developed from a national justice forum held earlier this year.
B.C.’s Missing Women Commission of Inquiry also released five new reports on June 29. The final report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry is expected on or before Oct. 31.
The reports are available at: http://www.missingwomeninquiry.ca/reports-and-publications/.