‘National shame:’ Groups denounce inaction in the face of violence against indigenous women and girls

Advocates across the country had a similar message for Ottawa a year after it launched a national plan to end violence against indigenous women and girls: The federal government has failed to live up to its commitments.

“It is with deep disappointment and frustration that I say that the lack of accountability in the last year is staggering and unacceptable,” Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, president of the National Circle of Families and Survivors, said Friday.

“This is a national disgrace and it is also dangerous. Every day of inaction in this area leads directly to the tragic loss of human life and more violence.”

Anderson-Pyrz spoke at an event in Gatineau, Que., marking the first year of the plan and the third anniversary of a final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls that outlined 231 calls to justice. Also in attendance were Crown Minister for Indigenous Relations Marc Miller, Minister for Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu and Minister for Justice David Lametti.

The National Circle of Families and Survivors was hopeful that last year’s plan and a “federal track” document would be a new way to put families at the center of efforts to end systemic barriers and discrimination.

Anderson-Pyrz says that has not been the case.

“The affected family members and survivors are not mere symbols of this crisis. We have a wealth of lived experience, expertise and knowledge that must be at the center of all actions to end gender-based and racial violence.”

“Without the political will to create transformative change, this genocide will continue.”

Anderson-Pyrz referred to five indigenous women who were found dead this year.

Tytiana Janvier, from northern Alberta, died in March of what police said was a drug overdose.

Chelsea Poorman’s remains were found in a Vancouver home in April. She had been missing from her Saskatchewan First Nation since 2020.

Rebecca Contois, Doris Trout and Anderson-Pyrz’s own niece, Tessa Perry, were found dead in Winnipeg last month. Police have declared the women victims of homicide.

At least 89 indigenous women and girls have been murdered since the publication of the final report of the investigation, according to data from the Canadian Feminicide Observatory for Justice and Responsibility.

He said the number is an underestimate as it does not include suspicious deaths, missing women and some likely cases in which indigenous victims were not identified.

Ottawa released its own progress report Friday on work completed between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, in several priority areas outlined in the research.

“Things aren’t moving fast enough, but they are moving forward,” Miller said.

The anniversary was not a day for people to pat themselves on the back, she added, as indigenous women and girls still do not have the basic right to safety in their communities.

The progress report said more than 25 departments and agencies are activating the plan through new or revamped programs, funding and policies.

New programs include support for families and survivors, cultural spaces, health and wellness, and languages, according to the report.

No oversight body has been created to represent the interests of families, survivors and indigenous communities. Miller said there is no excuse for that and the government is working on it.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada released its own analysis saying there have been funding commitments, but little has been done to directly support survivors and families.

“We hear that it just doesn’t translate into the help that is required on the ground,” Executive Director Lynne Groulx said.

“We’ve been three years in. That’s very discouraging for family members who need to see some action.”

A group representing Métis women announced it would be walking away from the federal progress report.

The organization said in a statement Friday that the report was rushed and does not fully describe the lack of tangible action.

“We support the voices of national and provincial indigenous women’s organizations,” said President Melanie Omeniho. “Our voices have been silenced in what can only be described as political pretense.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working with survivors, families, communities and other partners.

“We will not forget those who never returned home and we will honor their memory by working tirelessly to build a better future, where everyone is safe from violence,” he said in a statement.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 3, 2022.

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press