Last Friday, Carolyn and I attended the Calgary Roundtable on Murdered and Missing Aboriginal Women. It was held in solidarity and to coincide with the one held in Ottawa. As expected, we heard some powerful and painful stories from deeply hurt and courageous families. There were two honorary witnesses, Police Chief Rick Hanson and Liberal MP and Aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett. Both gave sensitive and heartfelt responses to the testimonies of the families. Both were there the full afternoon.
Chief Hanson was introduced by Constable Cindy Provost, the designated police liaison officer with the Aboriginal community. She is First Nations and been in this position for 8 years. Each gave emotional tributes to the other for the effective and outstanding contribution each has made to addressing this complex and horrific reality. I felt clearly that the police and supporting agencies in Calgary take seriously this deep wound in our society.
Murdered and missing women is a national shame. Why is our Federal Government so insensitive? When the prime minister says that murdered and missing Aboriginal women is not on the government radar, he insults the women, their families, communities, and indeed all Canadians. He shows astonishing disrespect, if not contempt.
The government’s defensive dismissal of a national inquiry makes one all the more necessary. When I witness the deep and sensitive concern of Calgary’s police chief, it only illustrates how far removed and callous is our Federal Government.
Friday’s event concluded with drumming and round dancing in front of Calgary’s City Hall. The afternoon began with prayer from a Blackfoot elder. In a spirit of healing and hope, I invite us to contact MPs to continue the advocacy for a national inquiry. It is one of the ways to put flesh on the bones of the Apologies governments and churches have made.
Chief Hanson was introduced by Constable Cindy Provost, the designated police liaison officer with the Aboriginal community. She is First Nations and been in this position for 8 years. Each gave emotional tributes to the other for the effective and outstanding contribution each has made to addressing this complex and horrific reality. I felt clearly that the police and supporting agencies in Calgary take seriously this deep wound in our society.
Murdered and missing women is a national shame. Why is our Federal Government so insensitive? When the prime minister says that murdered and missing Aboriginal women is not on the government radar, he insults the women, their families, communities, and indeed all Canadians. He shows astonishing disrespect, if not contempt.
The government’s defensive dismissal of a national inquiry makes one all the more necessary. When I witness the deep and sensitive concern of Calgary’s police chief, it only illustrates how far removed and callous is our Federal Government.
Friday’s event concluded with drumming and round dancing in front of Calgary’s City Hall. The afternoon began with prayer from a Blackfoot elder. In a spirit of healing and hope, I invite us to contact MPs to continue the advocacy for a national inquiry. It is one of the ways to put flesh on the bones of the Apologies governments and churches have made.
