Response to the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK (“the NETWORK”) brings together and supports community members, organizations, governments, businesses and volunteers committed to improving the quality of life of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living in the greater Montreal area.
The NETWORK seeks to change existing structures and systems by helping the Indigenous community identify and address the root causes of the complex problems that negatively affect the quality of life of the Indigenous community in Montreal. Therefore, we stand by the truths and conclusions that were revealed in both the report “Reclaiming Power and Place” and the complementary report specific to Quebec. We also want to acknowledge and thank those who courageously devoted time and energy to bringing these truths to light.
The findings reaffirmed what Indigenous peoples have known all along, that significant, persistent and deliberate patterns of systemic violations and abuses of human and Indigenous rights – which are gendered and racialized in nature – constitute genocide. This identification is not up for debate and it is important to recognize that these targeted acts of genocide not only exist in Montreal, but are supported by the systems and structures currently in place in Canada.
The 231 calls for justice are essential to changing existing systems and structures; they are essential to correcting injustices and necessary for healing historical, multi-generational and inter-generational trauma. We are all accountable to these calls. Non-Indigenous allies must work alongside Indigenous peoples and use their privilege to listen, change the power dynamic, and take concrete steps toward RE-CONCILI-ACTION.
Indigenous peoples are the true experts on Indigenous knowledge, realities and history, and are in the best position to tell their stories. Now more than ever, it is time to listen and make room for the action and expertise of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA. It’s time to accept, understand and act on the truths.
Read more:
- The full report and the complementary report for Quebec: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/fr/final-report/
- Call the National Commission of Inquiry’s toll-free line: 1-844-413-6649
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