A report on missing and murdered Native women, the first of its kind in Quebec, was released in Kahnawake on Monday.
The report was written by a group called Quebec Native Women who said they did the study, dubbed Stand With Us, to give a voice to the families of victims.
The 69-page report analyzes factors surrounding missing and murdered, such as family and domestic violence, systemic discrimination, a lack of social services and mistrust of authority.
The study cites the recent case in Val D’Or, the northwestern Quebec town where eight provincial police officers allegedly committed assault, sexual misconduct and other abuses against First Nations women.
Cheryl McDonald, whose sister went missing 27-years-ago and whose remains were found in the woods by a hunter weeks later, said she wants to make sure politicians addressing this issue will be held accountable.
“I’m still on my healing path but I’m here and I’m watching and I’m listening,” she said. “If I don’t see something being done, I will speak up and I will speak for the families until they can speak for themselves.”
Quebec Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley and Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee, who attended the report’s announcement, said they will stand with Native women on this issue.
