Program to Help Find First Nations And Aboriginal Children

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

February 21, 2012

At the AFN's National Justice Forum in Vancouver, a joint effort was announced "to help ensure that all First Nations and Aboriginal communities in Canada know where to turn when a child is missing".

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and RCMP have come together to raise awareness about a program available to help First Nations and Aboriginal families in their search for missing children. MissingKids.ca the Canadian Centre for Child Protection's missing children resource and response centre, is a central place for parents and communities to get help and critical tools as well as resources to prevent children from going missing.

"The stark reality that more and more First Nation youth go missing in Canada each year is unacceptable," said AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. "As the leaders of today, First Nation youth must be supported and nurtured to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. The Assembly of First Nations is proud to work together with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to support the development of First Nation resources and tools to be available to First Nations youth right within their communities."

MissingKids.ca works in partnership with Canada's law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the search for missing children. The program provides a national voice on missing children's issues and a coordinated approach in the search, capitalizing on new technology and providing prompt, efficient dissemination of information to the public.


http://missingkids.ca/app/en/afn_30_psa

As part of this initiative, a public service announcement featuring National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo will be airing on the Aboriginal People's Television Network (APTN). Also, over 150,000 pieces of MissingKids.ca program materials will be distributed to approximately 650 band offices and 700 RCMP and First Nation police detachments across Canada. MissingKids.ca staff will personally reach out to hundreds of First Nations communities to survey their needs and raise awareness.

http://missingkids.ca/app/en/afn_60_psa

The AFN National Justice Forum, taking place in Vancouver to February 23,
"is focused on advancing First Nation-driven strategies for achieving safe, secure and thriving First Nation communities, while identifying opportunities for further engagement and partnerships. Priority areas for discussion and action at the Forum include ending violence against Indigenous women and among gangs, addressing the over-representation of First Nation citizens in the justice system and seeking adequate support for First Nation policing and emergency crisis response. Over 400 delegates and frontline justice workers from First Nation communities, national and regional Indigenous organizations, as well as key stakeholders and representatives from the federal and provincial governments will take part".