Kenora, ON — Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3 says now that the Final Report of the MMIWG National Inquiry is complete, the real work begins to start implementing the recommendations to help end a cycle of violence that has claimed untold thousands of Indigenous women.
After three years, hundreds of community meetings and testimonies from over 2,000 Indigenous and nonIndigenous people from across Canada, the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls inquiry delivered its final report to the federal government at a ceremony in Gatineau, Que., today. “The violence against our women and girls does not end because of a report,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “Real action will occur on the ground, in our communities and with all Canadians when everyone accepts these recommendations as imperative to move forward to protect our women and girls from violence forever.”
Grand Council Treaty#3 acknowledges the work of the MMIWG National Commissioners and all of the families who have shared their touching and often heart-breaking stories with the Commission. There are 231 Calls for Justice and Treaty#3 leadership are supportive of all the Calls and will work with the provincial and federal government, our families, communities and the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3 to implement the Calls for Justice in all areas: justice, culture, media, health and wellness, industry, education, as well as police services.
“It has been a long and painful journey for our families and communities. Treaty#3 families encountered many challenges trying to participate in the Pre-Inquiry and National Inquiry process and were disappointed that an Inquiry hearing was not held within the Territory,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “We all have an important role in addressing MMIWG and ensuring that the genocide of the past does not continue. This is also a call for our men to take responsibility and action and hold our women in a place of respect. Our children, our youth, our families need us to step up and build a better future; one without violence, one with respect and safety for all.”
Grand Council Treaty#3 wants to extend appreciation to the Treaty#3 Women’s Executive Council in advocating and the hosting of MMIWG Families Gatherings in Wauzhushk Onigum, Migisi Sahgaigan, Mitaanjigamiing and Sagkeeng First Nation. They also hosted the Walking With our Sisters Commemorative Exhibit at the Super 8 in Kenora for two weeks in efforts to raise awareness and advocacy on MMIWG.
