Representatives of Ahousaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Uchucklesaht, Tseshaht and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council are among those who have signed a declaration admonishing Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt for failing to stand during an ovation June 2 when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for an inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women.
Valcourt stayed in a seated position, hands folded on his lap, when the room erupted with applause when Justice Murray Sinclair said “We believe not all that needs to be known is known about the missing and murdered Indigenous women.” The audience came to their feet when he called for the inquiry during his presentation of the TRC’s final report summary and 94 recommendations to move the country toward reconciliation.
The declaration, signed under the banner of the First Nations Summit political executive and dated June 4, called Valcourt’s inaction insensitive and reflective of the Harper government’s long-standing dismissal of First Nations calls for a national inquiry. They wrote it “is unacceptable and signifies a level of disrespect for Indigenous women, children, and Nations.
They said they were confused by Valcourt’s statement “that the government was committed to continue to work to improve relationships between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people”, yet your actions are not reflective of such a statement.
The Summit chiefs in assembly went on to call for the full implementation of all the recommendations of the TRC, saying the government has an opportunity to show leadership by supporting an inquiry and “facilitating a more comprehensive effort to uncover the circumstances underlying these tragedies.”
“This is also a key opportunity to proactively promote the important Indigenous human rights standards set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, to ensure that Indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination.”
Reconsider and fully support the national inquiry, they told Valcourt, and ensure that aboriginal women be fully engaged in the design and implementation of an inquiry.
"At a time in this country where every level of government and Canadian citizen should be standing up to help end violence against aboriginal women and children, Minister Valcourt decides to sit down,” said NTC Vice President Ken Watts, who added his name to the declaration.
