MKO Grand Chief Stands with Independent Special Interlocuter Kimberly Murray’s Findings in Final Report
Press Release
October 30, 2024
Unceded Algonquin Territory, Gatineau, Qc – The Independent Special Interlocutor Kimberly Murray shared a report inclusive of 42 obligations setting out the legal, moral, and ethical responsibilities of Canada that must be fulfilled to address major legislative and structural gaps limiting First Nations ability and birth right to locate missing and disappeared children.
The Independent Special Interlocutor’s Final Report builds on her previous progress and interim reports completed in 2022 and 2023 and concludes with a two-volume report titled “Upholding Sacred Obligations; Reparations for Missing and Disappeared Indigenous Children and Unmarked Burials in Canada”.
MKO is pleased to find that several of the obligations set out by the Independent Special Interlocutor align with our on-going advocacy and vision for the Path Forward of Indian Residential School Investigations in Canada.
Grand Chief Garrison Settee says, “The continued lack of effective protection for the unmarked burials containing the remains of the children at former Indian Residential School sites brightly illuminates the urgent need to establish first principles to guide the effective and conclusive protection of human remains, sacred objects, and our Ancestors belongings. It is critically important that Canada enter in a co-development process with Indigenous Nations to enact a law similar to the United States of America’s NAGPRA law, to conclusively protect Ancestral remains and belongings wherever they are located and/or suspected to be located.”
Other obligations in the report that align with MKO’s advocacy include:
Canada is obligated to provide long-term, sufficient, and flexible funding for Indigenous-led investigations, and support Survivor Gatherings and the recording of Survivor’s truths.
Canada is obligated to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Codify enforced disappearance as a crime under the Criminal Code and Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.
Apart from these key components MKO firmly stands in solidarity with the Special Interlocutor Kimberly Murray and the 42 obligations outlined in the final report that speak to an Indigenous-led reparations framework. Federal Minister of Justice Arif Virani has been provided with the Final Report and made a commitment to considering the 42 obligations. We strongly urge the Government of Canada and all Members of Parliament to immediately enact these obligations.
MKO extends our gratitude to Kimberly Murray for her commitment over the last two years as the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves Associated to Indian Residential Schools. Kimberly has exemplified leadership, strength and understanding for Survivors, families and Nations involved in the search for missing children who never returned home from former residential schools and associated institutions. The release of the Final Report marks the end of Kimberly Murray’s appointment as the Independent Special Interlocutor. MKO wishes Kimberly well as she embarks on a new chapter in life, and we extend our deep appreciation for her alliance with the MKO leadership and survivors in bringing this important message to the Nation.
For more information:
Naomi Clarke, MKO Communications
Phone: 204-612-1284
Email: naomi.clarke@mkonorth.com
Web: https://mkonation.com/
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that has represented 26 First Nation communities in Manitoba’s North since 1981. The MKO represents more than 72,000 First Nations people.
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