Backgrounder A: Addressing the Issue of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

Violence against women remains a problem in Canada and throughout the world. It affects women’s personal safety and their ability to participate in and contribute to society.

Aboriginal women (First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-status Indians) are three and one-half times more likely to experience violent victimization than non-Aboriginal women. They report higher rates of violence committed by strangers and more serious forms of family violence. They are also over-represented as victims of homicide and three times more likely to be victims of spousal violence than non-Aboriginal women.

The Government of Canada committed $25 million over five years (2010-2015) to taking concrete steps to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women by improving the responses of law enforcement and the justice system.

Through a $9.3 million funding commitment, the Department of Justice is:

• investing in the development of a national compendium of promising practices to help Aboriginal communities and groups build on the experience of existing community initiatives to reduce violence and improve the safety of Aboriginal women across the country;
• assisting provincial and territorial governments (through the Victims Fund) to develop or adapt culturally sensitive victim services for Aboriginal victims of crime as well as to advance services for families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Provincial projects are underway in New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia;
• assisting Aboriginal community groups (through the Victims Fund) to respond to the unique issues faced by the families of missing or murdered Aboriginal women at the community level. Activities led by non-governmental organizations, such as the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Kani Kanichihk in Manitoba, have been funded to increase assistance for families;
• supporting the development of school- and community-based pilot projects to help heal, move forward and provide alternatives to high-risk behaviour for young Aboriginal women, including young offenders, with the goal of reducing the vulnerability of young Aboriginal women to violence. For example, the Department of Justice has funded the Girls Action Foundation, to support a national leadership project for young Aboriginal women aimed at increasing their confidence, skills and knowledge so that they are better equipped to implement community action plans that address violence and victimization;
• supporting the development of materials for the public on the importance of breaking intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse that threaten Aboriginal communities across Canada. Funding was provided to Aboriginal organizations and Public Legal Education groups working with Aboriginal groups through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Fund. For example, funding was provided to the Canadian Red Cross to adapt Walking the Prevention Circle as an on-line course and to translate it into French, as well as to projects by Treaty 8 and Thunderchild First Nation, amongst others.

Through a $10 million funding commitment, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP):

• has established the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR), including one resource, linked to National Aboriginal Policing Services, to ensure a focus on the specific issue of missing Aboriginal persons. The NCMPUR, which incorporates the pre-existing National Missing Children Operations, is still developing its operational components;
• has enhanced the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) to capture additional missing persons data such as biological and cultural affinity;
• is developing the national Missing Children/Persons and Unidentified Remains (MC/PUR) Database, the first national police database for missing persons and unidentified remains, to provide Canadian police, medical examiners and chief coroners with more comprehensive information on these cases across jurisdictions; and
• is developing a national website which will contain information on missing children, missing persons and unidentified remains cases and will allow the public to provide tips on cases.

For more information, visit the RCMP website.

Through a $5.7 million funding commitment, Public Safety Canada:

• is helping Aboriginal communities to develop community safety plans to improve the safety of Aboriginal communities, including Aboriginal women and girls. Community safety plans will be developed by Aboriginal communities with the support of the federal government to improve community safety and wellness, and the information gathered from this process will help the Government of Canada improve its programs and services and better respond to community issues.

For more information see the Public Safety Canada website.

Backgrounder B: The Government of Canada's Ongoing Support for Aboriginal Peoples

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Department of Justice Canada
October 2012