The federal government has ignored proposals submitted by the Assembly of First Nations

The federal government has ignored proposals submitted by the Assembly of First Nations to address the issues surrounding murdered and missing aboriginal women and girls, says interim National Chief Ghislain Picard, and he’s frustrated. “We are representing over 600 communities across the country, and certainly one of our mandates is to find a way to engage the government, whatever government we have in Ottawa, and that’s what we’ve been attempting to do. If we can’t do that on an issue such as this, of course it’s frustrating,” Picard said, reports CBC News.

A government plan to tackle violence against aboriginal women and girls was tabled by the Conservatives in mid-September. The government budgeted $25 million over five years to support the development of community safety plans, “to break intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse,” to work with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders, as well as Aboriginal men and boys, to denounce and prevent violence against Aboriginal women, to help victims and their families through the Victims Fund and the Policy Centre for Victim Issues.

“I feel kind of saddened that all of the proposals and suggestions that we made were just tossed aside and Canada has decided to go on its own,” said Picard. “This is almost a repeat of the kind of relationship we’ve had over time, and it’s sad, but now that the action plan is out, and intentions seem to be clear, hopefully we will be part of the process as First Nations.”