Barbara Roden
Free Press
Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government will be launching an inquiry into the disappearance and death of 1,181 aboriginal women between 1980 and 2012.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) inquiry will be nationwide in scope.
In British Columbia, much of the attention is expected to focus on the Highway of Tears; the 800-kilometre stretch of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert. At least 18 women have disappeared or been killed on or near the highway since the 1970s.
The Liberal’s MMIW inquiry is a radical departure from the stand taken by the Conservatives under the prime minister Stephen Harper. When pressed to launch such an inquiry, the former prime minister replied, “It’s not really high on our radar, to be honest.”
Sonja Ramsay, executive director of the 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre, says she is grateful the Liberals are going ahead with the inquiry.
“It’s sad so many years went by when the Conservative government chose to ignore this problem in our communities. For people to be told by an institution, which is supposed to have responsibility, that they don’t matter is a continuation of the violence against women and their families.”
Ramsay says she feels the inquiry is a step in the right direction, as is the $3 million in funding the provincial government has promised over three years to help protect people along Highway 16. “Women keep going missing, and no one knows why. Their families are grieving, and their stories are never finished.”
Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett has said, “The end goal of the inquiry is to find concrete action that will be able to stop this national tragedy.”
Ramsay says she thinks more resources would help.
“If people go missing in the mountains, Search and Rescue will find you. If a woman goes missing, there aren’t those processes and protocols.”
This has led to many of the missing and murdered women dropping off the radar unless family and friends advocate for them, she adds.
“This inquiry is a great step forward because any little bit helps. It’s about safety for all.”
