FNLC asks Government to conduct inquiry of missing or murdered Aboriginal Women

Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – The BC First Nations Leadership Council supports the recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, urging the Government of Canada to hold a detailed public inquiry into the 511 missing or murdered Aboriginal women in the country and to resolve problems with the law enforcement system.

“Unfortunately, BC First Nations are all too familiar with the cases of missing or murdered women from our communities, including in the Pickton case. All we have to do is look at the cases in the downtown eastside or the Highway of Tears (Highway 16). It is unacceptable that Canada continues to ignore the need for an inquiry into these 511 cases”, said Grand Chief Edward John or the First Nations Summit Political Executive.

“We must learn from and act upon the senseless murders and disappearances of our loved ones. We cannot continue to allow these tragedies to fall by the wayside; we must continue to fully advocate for the victims and their families by calling on Canada and the RCMP to conduct an immediate public inquiry and expand investigations in order to prevent further senseless and tragic deaths”, added Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.