Organizations push government to address violence against Aboriginal women

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan have joined forces to call for funding from the federal government to protect Aboriginal women against violence and abuse. “The current violence Métis Nation, First Nation and Inuit women and girls face on a day to day basis is unacceptable,” said MN-S President Robert Doucette in a news release. David Arnot, chief commissioner of the SHRC, said a recently released Statistics Canada report indicated that Saskatchewan and Manitoba have the highest rate of police-reported violent crime against women. That rate is double the national average. The SHRC is urging the federal government to partner with Aboriginal organizations to address the issue. FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde reiterated both the FSIN’s and the Assembly of First Nations’ call for a National Public Commission of Inquiry on ending violence against Indigenous women and girls.