Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

Initiative(MMAW)

Community Engagement & Research Initial Results

Alberta Victims ServicesPolicy and Program Development Branch

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General

1

2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS• Participating communities across the Province:

Chateh Piikani Saddle Lake Cree NationBushie Blood Tribe Samson Cree NationFox Lake Ermineskin Cree Nation Sturgeon Lake Cree NationLac La Biche Lethbridge ValleyviewEdmonton Grande Prairie Fort McMurray*Wabasca/Big Stone Cree Nation

• Victim Service Units: Mackenzie, Rainbow/Assumption, Lac La Biche, High Level, Lethbridge (City and RCMP), Ranchlands, Valleyview, Blood Tribe, Grand Prairie, Fort McMurray, Maskwacis, Wabasca Regional

• RCMP KARE, RCMP K Division• Municipal and Tribal Police Forces in Alberta• ACT, CEASE, SNUG, IAAW• Aboriginal community members• Justice Canada• Alberta Victims Services• The countless other individuals and organizations that have contributed

their wisdom and expertise to this initiative

“One woman goes missing, then another, then another.

For a long time only those who know and love them

pay attention. Until the numbers start to

add up.”- Finding Dawn

3

What is the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women’s Initiative?

4

Research based initiative with the goal to develop:

An Alberta Victim Services Service Delivery Framework

Objectives

5

• Establish base line data• Identify any geographical

considerations• Identify existing & needed support

resources• Identify system gaps• Examine current laws & policies• Engage with Aboriginal communities

about their cultural safety needs• Disseminate information• Develop the framework

6

Methodology – Guiding Principles

7

• Respect

• Consent

• Responsibility

• Gender-Based analysis Plus (GBA+)

How was the Research conducted?

8

Two main activities:

• Literature review

• Mixed methodological study

Literature Review

9

• Inform issue

• Provide themes

• Indigenous research methodology

• Design of data collection instruments

Mixed Methods Study

10

• Participant Questionnaire • Stakeholder engagement

• Community engagement

11

What We Heard

Root Causes: Thoughts from Participants

Intergenerational Trauma

PovertyAddictions

Lack of identity/ culture/ self

worth

Racism

Human Trafficking

Gang Involvement

Sex Trade involvement

Domestic Violence

Lateral Violence

Sexism

Family Breakdown

How does this connect?• Isolation (geography)• Lack of housing• Lack of specialized shelters• Difficulty accessing counselling• Transportation challenges• Employment shortages/ living in

poverty• Women/girls leave their communities

with no knowledge of city life• Child Welfare involvement• Transience

Lack of Awareness

14

Societal• racism/sexism pervasive regarding Indigenous

women• assumptions, myths and stereotypes• lack of understanding of historical context/roots• harmful language compounds trauma/increases

risk

Indigenous Communities• little knowledge of colonization and its impacts• assimilation policies, residential schools, 60’s scoop• traditional values, beliefs & ways of knowing• lateral violence

System Challenges

15

• Resources

• Police Response

• Need for safety planning

• Need to consider cultural safety when delivering services to Indigenous people

• Rural-urban migration of Indigenous people

• Connection to human trafficking?

Not at all Somewhat Important Important Very Important Unsure Non-Applicable0

20

40

60

80

100

120

3 4

42

108

71

How important is it to have culturally sensitive & relevant services for Indige-

nous victims of crime?

Supporting Families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous

Women (and Girls)

Specific ideas from Participants

Supporting Families – Promising Practices

• Better understanding of what support is needed by the families when they have lost a loved one

• Dedicated resources: homicide & missing• Consistent referrals to victim services• Partnerships between service organizations

(KARE/Metis Child & Family Services)• Written statements for media – focus on the

person not the lifestyle choices, provide opportunities for understanding

Need for Enhanced Service Provision identified

• Community building– Presentations/education on related

issues– Youth engagement strategy

• Continuity of service• Crisis support teams• Prevention activities

Other Strategies to Decrease Risk• Increase street/structural safety in communities• Comprehensive early intervention programs• Other training – eg. “Moving to the city” education• Governance support – Chief and Council, and

population as a whole• Increased human services staffing• Youth centres, more shelters• Improved access to all service providers• Community crisis lines• Safety Strategies

– Toolkits (ID kits, contact information)– Self defense– Establishing a “contact schedule”– Community patrols

What’s next?

• Community dissemination events

• Resource Guides & Directory

• Provincial Framework

• Policy/Legislative review

• Missing Persons Policy for Victims Services

• Annotated Research Bibliography

Elder's Meditation

"We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the

sacred gift of life."

Traditional Circle of Elders. ONONDAGA

At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a

sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her

sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to

look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today.

Grandfather, show me how to see in a sacred way.