The event was held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center and marked the first time that families, survivors, community groups and leaders came together under one roof to share experiences and brainstorm new solutions.
Kwanlin Dun First Nation member Carissa Waugh spoke to the crowd about her personal experience.
The young woman says she does not walk around her neighborhood after 8 p.m. She also avoids walking with headphones in both ears and she always tells her family or friends where she is going.
She explains that she is constantly on alert.
I am a young aboriginal woman. My chances of being attacked or killed are much higher than those of some of my peers. I worry about my safety all the time, even when I’m home with the door locked
she complains.
Committee co-chair and Kwanlin Dün leader Doris Bill says she always drives her daughter and Carissa Waugh home, no matter what time.
Sometimes I get out of bed at two, three in the morning and I do it because it’s so important for our young women to be safe. They shouldn’t have to take these precautions, in their own community
she regrets.
Other Indigenous leaders also say work to address this issue continues.
In 2020, Yukon became the first of the territories and provinces to release a strategy to respond to the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MNIWG). Since then, the work has evolved.
Ten priorities
This year, after two days of meetings, exchanges and discussions, the Advisory Committee established 10 priorities to end violence against women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
Among them, long-term funding for Indigenous women’s organizations or the provision of safe living spaces for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
Other goals are to establish a trust fund for survivors and families of MMIWG2S+. Another proposal is to improve victim-centred and crisis-responsive supports for victims of gender-based violence and sexual assault.
Yukon Advisory Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Co-Chairs Doris Bill and Jeanie McLean at the forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.
Photo: Julien Gignac/CBC
Jeanie McLean, another co-chair of the committee and Yukon’s minister responsible for the Women’s and Gender Equity Branch, says the focus is now on implementing the strategy, adding that the forum will contribute to this process.
The idea is to bring people together so that they see themselves in the strategy. Soon we will finish the implementation of the plan, which will really define what we want for each point
she says.
Men have a role to play
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston says men have an important role to play, too, adding that they need more help than they get.
Sometimes the only prospect for young men is prison
he laments.
He says he sees many First Nations people on the streets of Whitehorse continuing to struggle with the devastating effects of government policies, residential schools and the Indian Act.
We need to be really honest about how we deal with all of this, because it’s a central part of the overall discussion.
he determines.
With information from Julien Gignac
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca