Monday, June 3, 2019

With currents of genocide and colonialism, MMIWG Commissioners deliver Final Report

The Commissioners of the Murdered, Missing, Indigenous Women and Girls Commission delivered their final report this morning from Gatineau in the National Capital Region, the findings coming from near three years of testimony from many corners of Canada.

The commission began its work in September of 2016 led by Chief Commissioner Marion Buller, and as is acknowledged in the preface to the report, their work was at times controversial and faced  a fair share of criticism along its journey.

During its period of study the inquiry also saw a number of departures from its ranks of participants, whether Inquiry Commissioners, or staff members.  In some cases with strong criticism of the process and clashes in views, making for larger headlines at times than the main focus of the study into the Murdered and Missing.

At other times the inquiry also seemed to exasperate the federal government with  missed delivery dates and frequent calls for an extension of their mandate.

Ms. Buller addresses that last note as part of the preface to the 1,000 page plus report, as the Chief Commissioner observes that the inquiry members did not believe that their work was done before the Federal Government called for its end and the delivery of a final report.

"The violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people is a national tragedy of epic proportion. Also part of this national tragedy is governments’ refusals to grant the National Inquiry the full two-year extension requested. In doing so, governments chose to leave many truths unspoken and unknown. 

There has been and will be criticism of our work; it is vitally important. I hope that the criticism will be constructive and never end. I take the critics and their criticism as indications of the great passion that exists about the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls."

As some of the details of the report began to filter out over the weekend, the themes that generated the most interest and commentary were those of genocide and decolonization, terms that frame the report often from start to finish.

With the focus on genocide an element of the report introduced from the outset as part of the preface to the report and then defined further as part of the introduction to the commission's findings.

"Skeptics will be fearful and will complain that the financial cost of rebuilding is too great, that enough has been done, that enough money has been spent. To them I say, we as a nation cannot afford not to rebuild. Otherwise, we all knowingly enable the continuation of genocide in our own country."

Also featured as part of the Introduction to the report, a short overview of the inquiry travels, with more than 2,380 people having participated in the national inquiry, some as part of the 15 community hearings held across the country including a session held in September of 2017 at Smithers.

Other participants shared their stories in private or as part of in camera sessions during the course of the inquiry period.

The document is divided into two volumes, with Volume A reviewing much of the testimony and research that the Commissioners received during the course of their near three year travels.

The final section of the report in Volume B features the Calls for Justice, with 231 listed among those calls from the Committee members, which they note are not recommendations, but imperatives requiring action.

Included on the list is a call for Canadians to become part of the solution and to become more involved in the way we approach the Missing and Murdered. With commissioners urging a change in perceptions and to act on the calls for justice from the surviving families.

The Report also calls for a decolonization in the way that we view Indigenous rights and issues, as well as a dedication towards the re-establishment of Indigenous nationhood and the adoption of principles for change

The Report notes how the root cause of the high rate of violence against Indigenous women and girls is an entrenchment of colonialism, a vestige of the past which they call on Canadians to reject as part of the path forward.

"This colonialism, discrimination, and genocide explains the high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. 

An absolute paradigm shift is required to dismantle colonialism within Canadian society, and from all levels of government and public institutions. Ideologies and instruments of colonialism, racism, and misogyny, past and present, must be rejected."

Governments at all levels, police agencies, the court and corrections system, the media, health professionals and educators are just a few of the many organizations and groups which make for the larger focus for the Calls of Action.

The report features a range of recommendations for all to be followed up on, in order to fully act on the findings of the commissioners and their period of study. Canadians are also called on to ensure that those in the groups listed to take action, maintain their commitment towards the Calls for Justice


You can review the findings from both volumes from the links below:

Volume 1a

Volume 1b

A rebroadcast of this mornings presentation of the MMIWG Final Report can be viewed here.

More background on today's report can be explored here.

As the day moves forward, the reviews, analysis and commentary on the Report will no doubt consume a fair portion of the news flow of the day, as we have  in the past with other significant documents and reports.

We'll compile some of the reaction and observations below, as  well as to include them as part of our political portal D'Arcy McGee, that compilation can be found as part of our Ottawa Observations feature later this evening.

June 6

Is Canada committing genocide? That doesn't add up
The genetics of genocide: I'm healing so my future daughter doesn't have to
Trudeau says world has a lesson to learn from Canada after MMIWG inquiry
Mulroney urges government to send Chretien to China to win release of detainees
Safety concerns for Indigenous women in resource development: MMIWG inquiry
We need a new word: 'genocide' isn't it
Inquiry wasted the chance to right some wrongs for First Nations


June 5

Changes to solitary-confinement bill could address key MMIWG inquiry findings
What does it mean to call Canada's treatment of Indigenous women a genocide?
International group of American countries wants to investigate MMIWG 'genocide' findings
MMIW final report raises concerns about Gladue principle intended to support Indigenous offenders
Organization of American States wants to probe MMIWG allegation of 'genocide'


June 4

The MMIWG report was searing and important, marred only by its inaccurate genocide charge
Trudeau accepts MMIWG inquiry's genocide finding, but says focus must be on response
Trudeau says deaths and disappearances of Indigenous women and girls amount to 'genocide'
'We accept the finding that this was genocide': Justin Trudeau acknowledges outcome of MMIWG inquiry
At MMIW report's heart, a contradiction that's impossible to ignore
'The g-word': Why it matters whether we call Canada's actions towards Indigenous people a genocide
MMIW inquiry's police review team waited until final months to request case files

Why 'genocide' was used in the MMIWG report
U.S. Congresswoman calls MMIW inquiry a significant step'
Okanagan Indigenous leaders react to 'hopeful' and 'powerful' report from MMIWG inquiry
Surprise guilty plea in BC Woman's murder 'shocks' friends at national MMIWG ceremony
MMIWG report divides instead of unifying


June 3

Trudeau vows action on MMIWG but declines to endorse inquiry's genocide finding
We failed to treat missing and murdered Indigenous women like people, but I know we can change
From a guaranteed livable income to revising the Criminal Code: 15 recommendations from the missing and murdered inquiry
Five things about the inquiry on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls
The National Inquiry in MMIWG didn't have the strongest of priorities, but its purpose is still powerful
RCMP will 'give careful consideration' to MMIWG recommendations, says commissioner
Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women issues final report with sweeping calls for change
Trudeau references 'genocide' of Indigenous women and girls in remarks at Vancouver women's conference
Trudeau pledges to turn inquiry's calls into Indigenous-led action
Why can't we use the word genocide?
Murdered and missing women report risks being ignored with its all-or-nothing approach
Indigenous activist rallies community to demand action following missing and murdered Indigenous women inquiry
Ottawa should act on report on murdered and missing women, with all its flaws
Inquiry claims 'genocide' was Canada's historic goal
MMIW report tragic document on all levels
MMIWG's findings on 'man camps' are a good place for government to get started
The MMIW final report lands:  'I hold up a mirror to Canada'
MMIW report's notable omissions lead to some bewildering recommendations
Laval prof who wrote MMIW inquiry's legal analysis defends use of 'genocide' in report
MMIW report is devastating but its uncompromising nature may limit its impact
Report on missing, murdered Indigenous women calls for significant change to police services across Canada
Uncomfortable truths, Trudeau says of MMIW report, but genocide? He doesn't go there
Five things you should know about the inquiry on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls
Trudeau changes course, says 'genocide' when citing MMIWG report's findings
Concrete action must be the legacy of MMIWG report, Indigenous advocates urge
'You can't put a time period on grief': Families fear program closure after MMIWG inquiry
National Inquiry chief commissioner Marion Buller described the murders of Indigenous women and girls as genocide
Cold case files: Inquiry suggests task force to crack unsolved murders of Indigenous women and girls
BC has already produced many missing women recommendations, so is there anything new in the  new national report
BC Premier promises action after release of missing women inquiry report
BC First Nations call on Canada to take action after release of 'appalling' MMIWG report


June 2

Inquiry finds 'race-based genocide' of Indigenous people in Canada
Inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous calls on all Canadians to call out racism as report attributes tragedy to genocide
Mortality rates for First Nations young women and girls may have worsened: study
Former Harper-era minister doubles down on calling MMIWG inquiry report 'propagandist'
231 'imperative' changes: The MMIWG inquiry's calls for justice
Inquiry into missing Indigenous women and girls hasn't yet solved their deaths and disappearances
Canada has enabled a 'genocide,' says inquiry report into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
'You can't put a time period of grief': Families fear program closure after MMIWG inquiry
Missing, murdered Indigenous women inquiry seeks significant legal reforms, calls out 'appalling apathy' .


 .To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

No comments:

Post a Comment