AFN National Chief Hopeful Arrest and Charges in Tina Fontaine Case the Start of Healing and Justice

AFN National Chief Hopeful Arrest and Charges in Tina Fontaine Case
the Start of Healing and Justice

December 15, 2015

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde commented today on the arrest and charges in the Tina Fontaine case, saying he hopes this is the beginning of healing and justice for all those affected by this tragedy.

“My thoughts today are first and foremost with the family and friends of Tina Fontaine and for her spirit and memory as well,” said National Chief Bellegarde.  “Tina Fontaine’s death touched all of us and sparked a national outcry for action on the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.  But she is not a symbol, she is a young girl whose life was taken far too soon.  We hope today is the start of healing and justice for all those involved.  We must do all we can to prevent and end these tragedies.  We welcome the federal government’s call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and continue our call for other immediate steps to ensure safety and security for all our people.  Today, I send prayers to all those who knew and loved Tina Fontaine.”

On December 11, Raymond Joseph Cormier, 53, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine.  Fontaine’s body was found in the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 17, 2014, eight days after she was reported missing.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

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Contact information:

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca

Jenna Young Castro AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca