Sisters in Spirit applauded, then panned by feds

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is downgrading its approval of how $10 million will be spent by the federal government over the next two years to address the issue of missing or murdered Aboriginal women.

While neither NWAC nor Sisters in Spirit would return phone calls from Windspeaker, NWAC’s strategic policy analyst Katharine Irngaut stated in a Nov. 9 news release, “While NWAC is supportive in principle to see the government of Canada taking steps to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, we must undoubtedly express our disappointment with the exclusion of Sisters In Spirit in the ongoing development of public policy in the matter.”

Justice spokesperson Carole Saindon would not confirm Sisters in Spirit’s exclusion in the funding process. Said Saindon in an email to Windspeaker, “Responding to missing and murdered Aboriginal women is a pressing concern that warrants coordinated attention from all levels of government, and involves federal, provincial and territorial departments responsible for justice, public safety and policing, gender issues, women’s rights, and Aboriginal affairs.”

In Irngaut’s news release she noted that the 2010 Speech from the Throne praised Sisters In Spirit, and Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose, in delivering the Oct. 29 announcement on the use of the dollars, acknowledged Sisters in Spirit.

Ernie Crey, whose sister Dawn Crey was taken from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and fell victim to Robert Pickton, said he didn’t understand why the federal government would exclude the work undertaken by Sisters in Spirit, as well as exclude that arm of NWAC from further work on murdered and missing Aboriginal women.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing news,” said Crey. “Sisters in Spirit has become a national cry, a national banner, a national flag.”

Crey’s view is upheld by James Clancy, national president of the National Union of Public and General Employees. In a letter sent by Clancy to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Clancy expressed concern that the government would disallow funding to NWAC for any projects with the name Sisters in Spirit attached to it.

Clancy wrote, “The Sisters in Spirit name, as well as the Grandmother Moon logo, signify to many Canadians the memories of their missing or murdered loved ones. The name and the logo are an intricate part of the Sisters in Spirit vigils, which have been conducted for the last five years. The vigils give these families an opportunity to heal as well as raise awareness of this ongoing issue.”

“I’m surprised the federal government wants to squeeze Sisters in Spirit out,” said Muriel Stanley Venne, president of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women in Edmonton.

Crey said he’s still waiting to hear from NWAC about what is happening with Sisters in Spirit.

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network reported that a spokesperson for Status of Women would not comment on whether the department had imposed conditions on new funding or if there would be an impact on Sisters in Spirit.