Métis Nation British Columbia’s (MNBC) Justice Council supports the BC First Nations Justice Council’s February 14th, 2023 press release: “BC First Nations Justice Council Calls for Stricter Police Oversight and Accountability Amid Report that RCMP Officers Failed to Investigate Claims of Sexual Abuse of Indigenous Women and Girls by Prince George Police Officers”.
The MNBC Justice Council shares the sentiments of the BC First Nations Justice Council’s outrage in the mishandling of the RCMP’s investigation into the sexual abuse claims reported by constable Lisa MacKenzie to staff sergeant Garry Kerr, in August 2011. While there is still much work to be done to provide justice for Indigenous women and girls, we are encouraged to see that the B.C. Government will be instigating a full independent, out of jurisdiction investigation into these claims.
Unfortunately, it is unsurprising that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ continue to go missing and are victim to violent offences. It is also unclear at this time, how many of the 231 Calls of Justice from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have been realized.
The Chief Public Health Officer’s 2016 Report on the State of Public Health in Canada shows that Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to report being the victim of violent crime (279 versus 106 per 1,000 population). Too many of our women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are dead or missing. Too many are caught up in the justice system. Too many live desperate lives. Too many live their entire lives in fear of violence (Weaving Miskotahâ, 2021).
“Métis women and girls, as bearers of the heart of Métis languages, values, and cultural and environmental knowledge, continue to experience distinct forms of sexism, racism, and violence from the colonial justice system and policing. The resultant abuse, poverty, ill-health, and systemic inequality have set the conditions for which we continue to struggle with today.” Lissa Smith, MNBC President and Justice Council Chair.
Maarsi
About MNBC
Métis Nation British Columbia is the government that advocates for approximately 98,000 self-identified Métis people. Directly supporting 39 chartered communities in the province, our mandate is to develop and implement culturally relevant social and economic programs and services.
The MNBCJC is part of the Indigenous Justice Strategy Consultation Sessions project funded by the Province of BC and the Law Foundation. The MNBCJC provides strategic guidance on developing and maintaining the Indigenous Justice Strategy for the Province of BC. It is guided by reconciliation and a new government to government relationship addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration supported by the Draft principles guide B.C. Public Service on relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Media Contact:
Russell Brewer
Chief Public Affairs Officer
604-578-8190