A year after a national action plan to end violence against indigenous women, advocates say little has been done and more accountability is needed from the federal government.
“It is with deep disappointment and frustration that I say that irresponsibility is shocking and unacceptable,” said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, president of the National Family and Survivors Circle, during a press conference at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. That., Friday.
The National Circle of Families and Survivors (NFSC) made important contributions to the development of the national action plan, which was published on June 3, 2021, on the second anniversary of the National Research on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. . final report.
The investigation concluded that the violence experienced by indigenous women and girls amounts to genocide and identified 231 calls for justice, including the call for a national action plan.
“This genocide will continue”
However, plan contributors say little has been done so far, especially in lawsuits related to the establishment of accountability mechanisms and better monitoring of data.
“It’s a very difficult process to move forward and hold people accountable if they don’t have mechanisms,” Anderson-Pyrz said.
The NFSC said one of its critical recommendations called on governments to establish a oversight body in the form of a National Indigenous Human Rights Defender and a National Indigenous Human Rights Tribunal before June 3, 2022.
Neither has been established.
“That’s a national shame,” Anderson-Pyrz said. “It’s also dangerous. Every day of inaction in this area leads directly to the tragic loss of human lives.”
She listed the names of five Indigenous women across Canada who have died in homicides since March: Tytiana Janvier, Chelsea Poorman, Doris Trout, Rebecca Contois, her own niece Tessa Perry, and the recent statement from a forensic investigation. that the death of Chantel Moore was a homicide.
“Without the political will to create transformative change, this genocide will continue,” Anderson-Pyrz said.
Miller speaks in response to a question during a news conference Friday that marks the first anniversary of the Federal Way and the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)
Sylvia Maracle, executive director of the Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centers of Ontario, expressed similar concerns on behalf of the 2SLGBTQQIA + community.
“We’re also waiting for systemic change,” Maracle said.
“We are waiting for a return to power and place, and that requires a great deal of public education so that we can fight sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia in Canada.”
The national action plan included 23 short-term priorities to begin in the next one to three years, such as public awareness campaigns, a national emergency number and a national working group to review and re-examine. investigate the unresolved files of missing and murdered. Indigenous women, girls and people 2SLGBTQQIA +.
According to status report, since 2021, more than $ 508.8 million has been announced in funding for various prevention and direct support initiatives for families and survivors. The report said many plans are in the early stages or have not yet begun.
“Things are not moving fast enough, but they are moving forward,” said Marc Miller, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister.
“This is not the opportunity today for anyone to be kicking their backs or making any excuses.”
The Native Women’s Association gives the feds a negative note
The Association of Native Women of Canada (NWAC) also criticized the government’s progress.
Published in score cardgiving the government a suspense note for its “minimum actions.”
“His plan is flawed,” said Lynne Groulx, CEO of NWAC.
“They have all the experts. They have all the information. They have all the resources at their disposal. Why can’t they put these elements together and just do it?”
Lynne Groulx is the Executive Director of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. (NWAC)
The organization did not participate in the joint development of the action plan, citing problems with the process, and published its own cost plan to address the justice appeal of the investigation. Groulx said NWAC completed 40 of its own 66 proposed actions.
“If we can do it with our very limited resources … why can’t the great government of Canada move forward with more action?” she said.