FAQ reacts to the final report of the NIMMIWG

Gatineau, June 3rd, 2019 – Quebec Native Women (QNW) attends today the presentation of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG). The NIMMIWG did an important job, despite the constraints and the short timeframe. QNW wishes to emphasize that the report is ought to be only the beginning of a long process of change and transformation of the institutions and their practices.

The size of the report (more than 1,200 pages) speaks for itself and illustrates the complexity of the issues and the urgency to act now. As Indigenous women continue to be targeted by multiple forms of violence, including systemic discrimination, governments have a responsibility to ensure their protection and end impunity, as outlined in QNW’s mémoire. It’s a matter of life and death!

“QNW wishes to honor the courage of the families who testified before the commission, to shed additional light on this tragedy. The report published this morning must be a starting point to ensure justice for the families and provide them with answers, so that all the painful stories they shared were not in vain. “- Viviane Michel, QNW’s President.

QNW takes the responsibility to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that this report is not shelved and to support the governments in implementing the report’s Calls for justice through concrete and effective measures. This national crisis and the urgent need for equity requires that all governments put indigenous women first.

“QNW invites citizens to consult section 15 of Calls for justice, which addresses the entire population. You want to know how to support Indigenous women in our fight for our rights? Get informed, learn to recognize the injustices and get involved politically! You have the power to change things for the better! “- Viviane Michel, QNW’s President.