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Recent murders of young Aboriginal women further highlight the need for a National public inquiry.
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Michèle Audette
President NWAC |
Ottawa (20 Aug. 2014)—The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is joining with Canadians in mourning the death of Manitoba teen Tina Fontaine. The wrapped body of the 15-year-old was pulled out of the Red River in Manitoba on August 18, after a brief period of being missing. This follows the discovery, just a week prior, of the remains of Samantha Paul, another young Aboriginal woman, near Kamloops, BC.
"These murders are Canada's shame! I am saddened and horrified by these acts of violence against Aboriginal women. All of us must act to make sure that they end," said National President James Clancy.
"The National Union is whole heartedly supporting the Native Women’s Association of Canada in their call for a National Public Inquiry!"
"The National Union is whole heartedly supporting the Native Women’s Association of Canada in their call for a National public inquiry!"
Aboriginal women over-represented in numbers of women missing or murdered
“Every week now, we hear of another Aboriginal girl or woman, who has gone missing, to be found brutally murdered. This must stop!” exclaimed Michèle Audette, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: A National Operational Overview showed that Aboriginal women who have been identified as missing or murdered are over-represented among all of Canada’s missing and murdered women.
“This is a national disgrace, a national tragedy and a travesty of justice for Aboriginal women and is an issue that all Canadians have to take ownership of,” said President Audette.
Renewed calls for National Public Inquiry
NWAC, along with NUPGE and many supporters, has been relentless in its call for a national public inquiry and a comprehensive action plan to address this crisis.
“With the ever-increasing number of missing and murdered Aboriginal girls and women, there is an obvious need for a National public inquiry—nothing else will do,” said President Audette.
More information:
Native Women's Association of Canada
NWAC Petition: A National Inquiry is needed!
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE