NWAC recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Ottawa, ON (December 6, 2012) – NWAC recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and is honoured to participate in activities that mark the 23rd anniversary of the murders of fourteen young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal.

“We still mourn the young women who were lost to this senseless violence, and I am very concerned for our safety and security regardless of where we live,” said Michèle Audette, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. “Our leaders need to put in place concerted measures to protect our women and young girls. The provinces and territories must support the call for a national public inquiry and work towards a national framework of action as soon as possible. And Canada has to change their attitude toward our stolen sisters!”

NWAC has documented over 600 occurrences of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. Sadly, we continue to add names to our record of those lost to violence. NWAC’s Evidence to Action initiative works with Aboriginal families and communities who have been affected by violence, to raise awareness of the crisis and to develop tools that will assist those who have lost a loved one to violence.

The intergenerational impacts of colonization and residential schools combine with systemic barriers linked to gender and Aboriginal status to increase Aboriginal women’s vulnerability to experiencing violence. Aboriginal women are 3.5 times more likely to experience violence, and eight times more likely to be the victim of spousal homicide than non-Aboriginal women. Aboriginal women continue to be the most at-risk group in Canada for issues related to violence.

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For additional information please contact:
Claudette Dumont-Smith
NWAC Executive Director
Toll free 1-800-461-4043
Tel.: 613-722-3033 x. 223
Email: cdumontsmith@nwac.ca
www.nwac.ca