Reclaiming Power and Place - Yukon MMIWG Strategy Delayed

Wednesday, 3 June 2020 14:55

The one-year anniversary of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was June 3rd. Release of Yukon Strategy delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

June 3rd marked the one-year anniversary of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The Final Report, entitled "Reclaiming Power and Place" comprises the truths of more than 2,380 family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers gathered from two years of public hearings and evidence gathering. The Final Report delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.

Last year, the Yukon Advisory Committee (YAC) on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls developed a first draft of the Yukon Strategy based on the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice, a review of other national and territorial reports, and recommendations from past gatherings of family members.

This long-term strategy will represent a whole of Yukon approach, outlining specific action plans and roles for all stakeholders and all Yukoners to play. Unfortunately, the realities of COVID-19 have delayed meetings with some First Nations and municipal governments in person, so those meetings will take place virtually.In recognition of the valuable expertise and experience of family members the strategy will keep the voices of families at the centre.

The Yukon Advisory Committee had hoped to have finalized Yukon's MMIWG2S+ Strategy before reaching the milestone of the first anniversary of the release of the National Inquiry's final report. COVID-19 delayed progress in meeting that goal, but Yukoners should rest assured that the committee is still moving forward with this important work and will create a whole of Yukon strategy that will change the story for Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners.

Chief Doris Bill, Kwanlin Dun First Nation said in a statement, there is a need for collaboration in this work. The Yukon Strategy on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls must be based in our relationships, and strengthened by our ability to rely on each other to identify the problems and solutions together.

The Yukon Advisory Committee originally came together four years ago to support the National Inquiry and the families' participation, promote information sharing, and plan collaborative action.