First Nations Voice

PAGE 6 • MARCH 2016 ChiefJimBearandcouncilwouldliketoextendasincere thankyoutothecustomersandsuppliersofthenew BrokenheadOjibwayNation GroceryStore Afullservicegrocerystore,pharmacyandmedicalclinic -thefirstretailerofitskind! To the date of this paper publishing, the federal government has met twice in Winnipeg to consult with Winnipeg's Indigenous community about setting up a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's inquiry. And every Valentine's Day, I make the trek out to the University of Winnipeg to cover the Women's Memorial March to raise awareness about the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It is now in its ninth year. Bernadette Smith has been front and center for years on this issue since her sister, Claudette Osborn-Tyo, went missing in 2008. She started off with a handful of people attending vigils but recently has helped to organize Drag the Red. "Just because they (federal government) have called an inquiry means that this issue ends or women stop going missing," said Smith. "We still have those numbers increasing. This is not only about women but it's about men. It's about our community and bringing out community together to say enough is enough." Indeed. Just as the meeting with the federal government representatives were to start on February 25, news came out that the body of Marilyn Rose Munroe, 41, was found in basement of a house on Prichard Ave in Winnipeg's North End. That homicide offered up the dismal number that three out of five murder victims in Winnipeg since the start of 2016 were Indigenous women. Smith said, "There are going to be recommendations (from the proposed inquiry) but I think it takes people to actually stop what they're doing. To reflect on their own biases and racist attitudes, that we all need to live together." During February Canada's minister for the status of women, Patty Hajdu, suggested the number of missing and murdered indigenous women could be as high as 4,000 that was indicated by the Native Women's Association of Canada. Also marching that day was provincial Liberal Candidate for Point Douglas Althea Guiboche. She said, "I am honoured to support and provide a voice to finding answers and healing." For her, it was important for leaders from all communities to show up and march with the people like Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson. By Trevor Greyeyes tHE ISSuE dOESN't StARt OR StOp wItH AN INquIRy INtO MISSING ANd MuRdEREd INdIGENOuS wOMEN

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