Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – The First Nations Leadership Council is calling for an inquiry into the disappearance and subsequent murder of dozens of women from the Downtown Eastside in the wake of the guilty verdict in the Robert “Willy” Pickton trial.
“Based on media reports of the testimony and evidence heard in the Pickton trial, the public should be very concerned about the extreme delay in the time it took to start the police investigation into the disappearance of women from the downtown eastside”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. “Many of these women were from First Nations communities around this province. In the interest of public safety and the confidence of BC First Nations and all British Columbians, we are calling on the Solicitor General to launch a full public inquiry into the timing and thoroughness of the police investigation of Robert William Pickton and the missing women in the downtown eastside”.
“This verdict brings to a close a sad chapter in the lives of six women. Yet there are many other Aboriginal women either missing or living in a very vulnerable state”, said BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief A-in-chut (Shawn Atleo). “We must look at the broader picture and address the poverty, substance abuse, and systemic issues in society that has contributed to the marginalization of First Nations people and especially First Nations women,” he added.