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"NUPGE promises to stand as allies with Indigenous people as we move forward together, making changes at the state and societal level to ensure the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women, Two Spirit, and gender diverse people ends." — Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer
Ottawa (04 June 2019) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is supporting the calls for action contained in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The inquiry spent nearly 3 years on the road and collected testimonials from over 2,380 families and survivors. The two volume report investigated the causes behind the disproportionate rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ+ people living in Canada.
Higher rates of violence than any other demographic group
On June 3 2019, the final report from the inquiry was presented to the federal government at the closing ceremonies. One of the many troubling statistics to come from the inquiry is that Indigenous women and girls are 16 times more likely to be murdered or to disappear than white women and 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than any other demographic group in Canada.
The report carries 231 calls for justice aimed at governments at all levels, as well as, the Canadian general public. The report also defined the violence against Indigenous women as a Canadian genocide.
End the cycle of multigenerational trauma
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to call on the federal government to:
- develop an action plan to implement the report’s recommendations;
- fully implement S-3, An Act to Amend the Indian Act; and
- pass Bill C-262, An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“Respect is earned. NUPGE promises to stand as allies with Indigenous people as we move forward together, making changes at the state and societal level to ensure the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women, Two Spirit, and gender diverse people ends," said Elisabeth Ballermann, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer.
NUPGE and its Components supported efforts to get the federal government to call an inquiry, and has been a long-time supporter of the Native Women’s Association of Canada and their work in raising awareness about systematic violence against Indigenous women and girls.
More information:
Report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls