(July 26, 2024 – Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba) – On Tuesday, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief Wendell LaBobe of Prince Edward Island, Portfolio Holder for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and Chief Connie Big Eagle of Ocean Man First Nation, Chairperson of the AFN Women’s Council, attended a meeting of Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women.
The meeting focussed on promoting the status of First Nations women, including boosting opportunities for women in leadership and political institutions, the increase in incarceration rates, and promoting economic reconciliation.
“Tangible steps and consistent funding are needed for advancing the status of First Nations women, as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry and its Calls for Justice have outlined,” said AFN Regional Chief LaBobe. “There is also an urgent need to tackle the overrepresentation of First Nations women in federal prisons. Collaborative efforts across all levels of government are essential to address the multi-layered socio-economic factors contributing to this crisis. The solutions to overrepresentation should not have jurisdictional boundaries. True partnership across government ministries and jurisdictions, with First Nations, is required to achieve meaningful change.”
“We must proactively address the root causes to prevent First Nations women and girls from entering prisons in the first place,” stated Chief Connie Big Eagle. “This includes ensuring social supports in place to address the overwhelming poverty that places many First Nations women at risk.”
“It is not enough to talk about a national action plan to fulfill the Calls for Justice—the Government of Canada must clearly define who is accountable for implementing this plan and ensure cross-jurisdictional collaboration to get the work done. We look forward to advancing this important work forward and to ensure the safety and security of all First Nations women,” concluded Regional Chief LaBobe.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
Contact information:
Jon Adam Chen
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
(343)-573-2229 (mobile)
[email protected]
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(613) 612-7229 (mobile)
[email protected]