Ontario Native Women’s Association is pleased that after decades of working with women a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has been launched today.

Press Release

August 3, 2016

Ontario Native Women’s Association is pleased that after decades of working with women a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has been launched today.

ONWA acknowledges the voices of the families of

MMIWG and the leadership of our government, national PTOs and Canadian partners like Kairos and amnesty international to address this issue and bring our women’s issues forward.

ONWA will ensure that the voices of our women and the survivors are heard. The National Women’s

Association of Canada (NWAC) had ten key points to ensure were part of the Inquiry such as providing support to families in culturally appropriate ways, recognize the systems that need to change such as Child Welfare and the Criminal Justice System, and working closely with the provinces to address key issues. ONWA agrees with all points made.

Dawn Lavell-Harvard, President says “we are pleased that we now have a government who is prepared to listen and act. We want to acknowledge the great responsibility that the Commissioners have undertaken and commit to support them as they start this work. We recognize that five people cannot represent the diversity of our country and NWAC will work with the National Inquiry to ensure that all voices that need to be heard will be heard.”

ONWA supports NWAC areas of concern within the terms of the TOR and will continue to work with them on monitoring the process and direction of the work to ensure the voices of the women continue to be the foundation moving forward.

“There is no community that has not been affected by this issue. All peoples within Indigenous Canada are impacted by MMIW. A just and truth based inquiry will assist our peoples. We must work together to make change across all boundaries and races. Our hope is that the end result of the inquiry will support healthy community development across Canada and honour our Indigenous women and their strength and resiliency. Our ancestors are standing with us.” says Cora McGuire-Cryette.

For more information you can read the press release from NWAC here: https://nwac.ca/2016/08/press-release-government-of-canada-officially-launches-national-inquiry-into-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-girls-mmiwg/

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of a missing or murdered loved on you can contact Jolene Banning at 807-625-8575 or by email jbanning@onwa.ca.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Jolene Banning, Public Relations Coordinator
Phone: 807-623-3442 | Email: jbanning@onwa.ca

ILR5