I'm just showing that it has a short-term, medium-term, and a long-term look at this. Again, this is only a snapshot of this particular issue.
We have done a lot of work in the areas of missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.
If we addressed all of this, can you imagine what the results would be if aboriginal women and girls were empowered instead of constantly being victimized by society?
At this time I believe it is important to make note of other key and important points observed by our partners as well. I know Michèle mentioned it before, but it is particularly important to mention that in February 2012 the AFN held the National Justice Forum. It included action planning on a strategy to end violence against indigenous women and girls. NWAC participated in this process.
The key areas of action and recommendations were provided in the workbook for action planning. They included the need for greater understanding and public education on first nations realities and experiences that have led to both victimization and violence; encouragement for all leaders and individuals to take personal responsibility for preventing and addressing violence; the need for outreach to youth and specific targeted approaches for men and boys, as well as better partnerships with service agencies, policing services, and corrections.
At the AFN 2012 Annual General Assembly, they presented “Demanding Justice and Fulfilling Rights: A Strategy to End Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls”. I don't know if the committee has these documents, but they are certainly available. The strategy contains a number of priority activities in addressing and raising awareness, parliamentary and international engagement, policy and research, facilitating dialogue to support communities in their efforts to increase safety, and ending violence.
Aside from what NAOs have been doing, we know there have been many justice inquiries, task force studies, and federal, provincial, and territorial working groups that have generated hundreds of recommendations for governments, service providers, communities, law enforcement, and courts to prevent violence and better address violence when it occurs.
However, chronic and systemic issues have meant many recommendations have not been implemented.
I did come with a list of recommendations, but I understand you already have a copy of it, so that's good. This document of recommendations continues to be updated. We're adding more reports to that as we move forward.
What is very important is that a thorough analysis of each of the reports and the recommendations on the issues needs to be undertaken, followed by a logic model or other demonstration that can capture the multiple levels and jurisdictions required to successfully undertake and implement recommendations. With these actions taken collectively, we will all be in a better position to examine and orchestrate a way forward that appropriately responds to the issues.
Thank you.