Tansi Nîtôtemtik,
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Final Report (“Final Report”)[1] provides perspective on the role that governance plays in the effort to resolve this issue. The report emphasizes the importance of Indigenous self-governance and self-determination as a way to mitigate the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The logic behind this is clear: Indigenous communities understand the impact of missing and murdered Indigenous women best. They understand how it changes a community and they understand some of the factors that play into its prevalence. As such, Indigenous communities are in the best position to help develop solutions to the problem.
The Final Report states “services and solutions much be led by Indigenous governments, organizations, and people.”[2] The Final Report goes on to explain that UNDRIP’s articles on Indigenous governance should be followed but add to that “the colonial mindset by which Indigenous leasers ask for permission and the state gives permissions has to end.”[3] The report is calling for Indigenous communities to have the power to establish their own solutions to issues that lead to increased levels of missing and murdered women and girls in the Indigenous population. Further, the Final Report states:
Where Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous governments have to work together to create solutions and deliver services, it must be in true partnership that respects Indigenous self-determination in all matters… solutions should stem from Indigenous communities and Nations.”[4]
It is integral that Indigenous Peoples are at the centre of the development of solutions to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The Final Report calls out the impact of the Canadian government on this issue stating “the Canadian state has displaced Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA people from their traditional roles in governance and leadership.”[5] They also note that “the significant, persistent, and deliberate pattern of systemic racial and gendered human rights and Indigenous rights violations and abuses… is the cause of the disappearances, murders, and violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”[6] The historic role of the Canadian government in contributing to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is made clear throughout the Final Report. The solution is a shift to having Indigenous communities find effective solutions to this issue. While support from the Canadian government will be necessary, the essence of the solution should stem from Indigenous Peoples.
Until next time,
Team ReconciliAction YEG
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[1] For more information on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the full Final Report, please visit: <www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/ > [perma.cc/NB5B-SHUA].
[2] National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Reclaiming Power and Place: Executive Summary of the Final Report at 57, online: <www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Executive_Summary.pdf> [Final Report] [perma.cc/LG66-PR78].
[3] Ibid; For a deeper discussion on Articles 3 and 4 of UNDRIP visit our post Intro to Indigenous Law and Governance: What’s in a Name?.
[4] Final Report, supra note 2 at 58.
[5] Ibid at 61.
[6] Ibid at 60.
