The provincial government has released an in-depth report on the progress it has made on addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across the province. The report breaks down initiatives implemented over the last five years ministry-by-ministry.
At the anniversary ceremony in Saskatoon, an event that aimed to honour victimized girls, women and their families, as well as report the provincial progress made on addressing the issue, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, Minister of Family Services, Kathy Pruden says an effort was not made to ensure Indigenous voices would be heard.
“Yesterday we received the press release. We weren’t on the agenda, and neither was Vice Chief Aly Bear. Why are we forgotten all the time? This is about us. We’re expected to be here last minute and provide you with information to make it look like it’s all going well. It’s not”
Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre replied that it was not the intention to exclude anyone, and she was honoured to have both Pruden and Bear attend the event.
Pruden also stated that although Metis people fall under the category of Indigenous, they are often excluded from collaborative discussions.
“Even this morning was an example of how the Metis people were left out. Two people did land acknowledgements, and both of them never said homeland of the Metis. Those are things we feel. We’re excluded then at that point.”
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Third Vice Chief Aly Bear acknowledges the provincial support but says more needs to be done to stop the genocide of Indigenous women.
“It’s enough of these studies, enough of these reports. It’s time for action. It’s time for implementation of all of these calls to justice.”
She adds that of the 231 calls to justice from the national inquiry, only two have been implemented over the last five years.
The report highlights include $255 million being dedicated to support First Nations and Metis organizations and communities in 2024-25. Over $31 million was also invested into combatting gender-based violence this year.
The significant investments come as 2024 year marks the five-year anniversary of the release of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which detailed over 200 calls to justice that can be implemented by all levels of government.
