July 12, 2024
The National Family and Survivors Circle Inc. (NFSC Inc) stands in solidarity with the families of Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, Morgan Harris, and an unidentified woman who has been given the name, Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, following the recent guilty verdict delivered on four counts of first-degree murder against Jeremy Skibicki.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and communities of the four Indigenous women whose lives were brutally taken. Your strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable pain inspire us all to continue the fight for justice and systemic change. The NFSC Inc stands with you, today and always, in the pursuit of a safer and more just society for all Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and gender diverse individuals.
This verdict, while a step towards justice, underscores the urgent need for systemic change and transformative action by Canada to prevent further violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and gender diverse individuals.
The NFSC Inc calls upon Canada to fulfill its legal and moral obligations to protect the rights and lives of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The systemic failures that allowed these heinous crimes to occur demand immediate and comprehensive action, including the full implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice outlined in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report.
Under domestic and international law, Canada must ensure the safety and security of all citizens, especially those vulnerable to violence and discrimination. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), adopted by Canada in 2016 and reinforced through legislation in 2021, mandates the protection of Indigenous women and girls from violence and discrimination. Furthermore, the Canadian Constitution, through Section 35, recognizes and affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples.
The NFSC Inc asserts that Canada must:
- Implement the 231 Calls for Justice without delay, including Call for Justice 1.2 for all governments, with full participation of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, to immediately implement and fully comply with all relevant rights instruments, such as UNDRIP and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
- Increase funding and support for Indigenous community-led initiatives aimed at preventing violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
- Enhance accountability mechanisms to ensure that law enforcement agencies properly investigate and address cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
- Promote and protect the rights of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people through legislative and policy reforms.
The NFSC Inc also reiterates its 2021 call for Canada, referred to as a state under United Nations (UN) criteria, to engage international bodies and the various potential, relevant UN committees to play an oversight role in Canada’s implementation of the Calls for Justice as an interim measure to establishing accountability mechanisms for this implementation.
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, NFSC Inc Chair/President states, “The state has a clear legal and moral duty to protect Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and gender diverse individuals from violence and discrimination. Justice must not end with a guilty verdict; it must ignite the flame of transformative change. The systemic violation of human rights that these tragedies represent can no longer be tolerated. We demand accountability at every level of government and society. We owe it to the victims, their families, and future generations to forge a society where Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and gender diverse people are not only safe but are respected, valued, and empowered. Upholding human and Indigenous rights is not optional; it is imperative.”
We understand this subject matter is difficult for many people in our community. If you require immediate support, please contact the national, independent toll free 24/7 support line at 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. This service is available in English, French, Cree, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway), and Inuktitut.
About National Family and Survivors Circle Inc.
The National Family and Survivors Circle Inc. is a legally incorporated, non-profit organization comprised of Inuit, Métis, and First Nations women from diverse backgrounds who lived their expertise to advocate for centering the voices of families of MMIWG2S+, survivors of gender- and race-based violence, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, in the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice, the National Action Plan on MMIWG2S+, and the Federal Pathway.
Media Inquiries: info@familysurvivorscircle.ca
