Ontario chiefs to undertake independent inquiry

A resolution to mount an independent inquiry in Ontario into missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) was passed unanimously by Ontario First Nations leaders. Chief Kelly LaRocca of Scugog First Nation and Chief Georjann Morriseau of Fort William First Nation brought the resolution forward at the All Ontario Chiefs Assembly held in Toronto in June.

Before the deliberations on the resolution commenced, a group of Toronto-based MMIW advocates were invited to address the assembly. A song was offered by Tsong Deh Kwe in honour of 20-year-old Cheyenne Fox who died in Toronto last year after a fall from a 24th floor balcony. Joining Tsong Deh Kwe were Alice Mathias, Sigrid Kneve and Joan Chaboyer, and Cheyenne’s father, John Fox.

The resolution was, in part, spurred by the RCMP report released in May that showed the number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women was much higher than previously reported. The report shows there have been 1,181 Aboriginal women who have been murdered or gone missing over the past three decades. The report also said that less than 20 per cent of the women were in the sex trade and that 83 per cent were killed by an acquaintance, spouse or family member.

The chiefs’ resolution calls for a provincial inquiry independent of government interference or funding. Maybe it will serve as a role model for other provinces, said Gordon Peters, grand chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.

“This is an important issue that affects all of our communities,” Chief LaRocca told the assembly, and it was critical to get at the truth of the numbers of women because there is such a discrepancy between what was previously reported by police. The report states that close to 90 per cent of all female homicides are solved and there is little difference in the solve rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal homicides.

LaRocca said MMIW advocates question the truth and accuracy of that statement.

Chief Georjann Morriseau said “…we advocate and we tell the nation that our women are important and we reiterate that constantly. We talk about it, but if there are no steps or actions in place to follow through with these resolutions, then we’re continuously undermining the true significance and value of our Anishnawbe Kwek.”

There was some discussion that an inquiry led by the Chiefs of Ontario might be letting the government off the hook. Grand Chief Peters said, in fact, taking such action will shame the government into taking action, particularly if their lack of participation is well publicized.

“We need to let them know this is a critical issue for our families,” Peters said, “and that we take this on in a whole-hearted way to ensure that we are responsible for what happens to our women and children.”

The lack of options available to women in abusive relationships was raised by Chief Donald Maracle of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

“We need to ask all levels of government for funding for housing and mental health supports,” he said. “There is also a shortage of policing to protect the women.” If women are being abused, Maracle said, chances are their children are also being abused because “men usually don’t stop at the women.”
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In a recent interview with Chief LaRocca, she said she and Chief Morriseau are responsible for ensuring action is taken on the resolution. A meeting in the next few weeks will focus on strategies for fundraising to undertake the inquiry. Acquiring a charitable number is important to securing funding from foundations and charities, she said. Another avenue to be explored is crowdsourcing because, “it seems to be the trending thing along with a social media campaign,” she said, “so I’m going to be learning a lot about that.”

The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women cannot be considered just an Aboriginal women’s issue, LaRocca said. “It’s a problem that is rooted in colonization and, quite frankly, racism.”
“It’s such a large problem and I think if we don’t recognize the root of it, we’re fooling ourselves to think that somehow it’s the victims who are blameworthy… It would possibly point to the fact it requires an acknowledgement that our men are in need of support and help as well as the women.”