International Call for Action on Missing/Murdered Women

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This press release is being distributed on behalf of:
National Council of Women of Canada
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Native Women’s Association of Canada

June 4, 2011

INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR ACTION ON ISSUE OF MISSING/MURDERED WOMEN
---UN-affiliated Canadian women’s group signs declaration with NWAC, AMC, more supporters invited to sign on---

WINNIPEG - The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) signed a declaration today with AMC First Nations Women’s Committee representative Chief Francine Meeches (Swan Lake First Nation) and Jeannette Corbiere Lavell of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). Together, NCWC, AMC and NWAC are calling for a national task force into missing and murdered aboriginal women at the 118th Annual Meeting of NCWC held today at the Viscount Gort hotel in Winnipeg.

The NCWC, an affiliate of the UN-accredited International Council of Women, had the signing ceremony, presentations and displays at their annual meeting as part of their on-going work and commitment to supporting and advocacy of Aboriginal women in Canada.

"The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) is committed to the continuation of our close partnership with our Aboriginal sisters and Aboriginal organizations, and support their voices being heard,” said NCWC President Mary Scott.

In November 2008, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women required Canada to report back on steps taken to address the failure of law enforcement agencies to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women and girls.

“The UN has already come down on Canada for its poor track record on missing and murdered aboriginal women and this issue is clearly becoming more and more important to women all over the world,” said Chief Meeches.

“We thank NCWC for their support and we invite more groups to sign on to this living declaration that supports our women, and by extension all women,” said Corbiere Lavell.

The National Council of Women of Canada is a member of the International Council of Women, accredited with the United Nations' Economic and Social Council's Commission on the Status of Women and is linked with 77 Councils and member groups in Canada.

The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is one of Canada's National Aboriginal Organizations and represents Aboriginal women, particularly First Nations and Métis women. NWAC has representation in meetings of Canadian leaders and is generally viewed as the national voice representing Aboriginal women in Canada.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is the political voice of action for Manitoba First Nations. The AMC First Nations Women’s Committee was formed in 1995 to advocate for women and work towards the inclusion of women in decision-making.

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For more information, contact:

Elaine Stevenson
Cell: 204-470 9375

National Council of Women of Canada website: www.ncwc.ca

Native Women’s Association of Canada website: www.nwac.ca

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs website: www.manitobachiefs.com