Leaders call for continued support of Sisters in Spirit

First Nation leaders are calling for the federal government to continue support for the Native Women's Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit campaign.
“Article fifteen of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples mentions combating prejudice and eliminating discrimination while promoting tolerance, understanding and good relations among Indigenous peoples,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “Now that the federal government has decided to endorse the declaration, it’s up to them to fulfill their obligations by ensuring that the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women is not pushed aside and is one of their top main concerns.”
Beardy and other leaders across the country, including Jackie Fletcher of the NAN Women’s Council, National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, NWAC President Jeanette Corbiere Lavell and Women of the Métis Nation President Melanie Omeniho, responded to a recent decision by the Government of Canada to deny funding renewal for the Sisters in Spirit initiative, which began in 2005 to bring awareness and address the large number of cases of murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada.
“As First Nation women, it is important that we stand together with our chiefs to make certain that work continues at the national level through NWAC and the Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council,” Fletcher said. “It is also important that proper services are available for those people who have lost their mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends through acts of violence.”
Atleo said the AFN continues to advocate strongly for action that will ensure the safety of Aboriginal women across Canada and support for the families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
“This must be a priority for the government and all Canadians,” Atleo said. “I have stood with NWAC at vigils and in meetings with the premiers and territorial leaders to call for action, as have members of the AFN Women’s Council. Any initiatives on this important matter must be done in collaboration with Aboriginal and women’s groups, and include the voices of families and communities across Canada — something the Sisters in Spirit campaign was successful in doing.”