FSIN PARTNERS ON MMIW NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

(Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon SK) – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive and Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission (SFNWC) say the Federal Government decision to delay the National Action Plan is a dishonour to Saskatchewan First Nations’ women, girls and Two Spirt and gender-diverse people. The National Inquiry was set up to confront the roots causes and systemic issues, as well as the human rights violations against Canada’s most vulnerable group.

“First Nations women experience higher rates of violence and are more likely to be a target of violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and assault. This wide-spread epidemic has persisted for hundreds of years and the root causes behind the violence needs to be addressed. A National Action Plan is urgently required to tackle the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice” says FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear. “The issues that the Inquiry report brought to light did not stop when the world pandemic hit. In fact, the need for action has only been amplified. We have reports of First Nations women and families being turned away from emergency shelters because they are at capacity. We must continue with this important work so that people are not being left without adequate support. We expect our Treaty partner, the Federal Government, to find a way to support our efforts to coordinate a regional action plans during this time of COVID and social distancing.”

“Immediate support and coordination are necessary to change the status quo and that requires an unprecedented amount effort to challenge the institutional policies, systemic racism and sexism that are deeply rooted in Government structures,” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “We call on Minister Bennett to work with our Women’s Commission to discuss a regional strategy. The answers are within our First Nations communities that have survived through generations of colonialism and adversity. We must keep this work moving forward for the protection of our women and children.”

Last year, the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the high level of violence faced by our women, girls and LGBTQQIAA2S. It examined colonialism, racism and misogyny from both the historical context and to how it continues to manifest in today’s realities. The report recounted hundreds of personal testimonies of violence, as well as violations to culture, health, security, and rights to justice. The inquiry produced 231 Calls for Justice that tackle health, child welfare, justice, policing, cultural revival, education and public education action that centered a decolonizing and self-determining framework.

The SFNWC is the recognized political voice and advocate for restoring and revitalizing the significant roles First Nations women have in their homes, communities, and nations. SFNWC is comprised of 17 elected First Nations women Chiefs and 4 appointed Senators.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

2020-06-04 - FSIN Media Release - MMIW National Action Plan.pdf

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