The Federation of Saskatchewan Nations is praising municipal leaders across the province for adding their voices to those calling for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
On Tuesday at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention in Saskatoon, delegates voted in favour of pressuring the Harper government to launch a national inquiry.
In a press release, FSIN interim Chief Kimberley Jonathan says it is important all elected officials stand together in calling for a national inquiry.
Both the federal Liberals and NDP and a number of provincial premiers, including Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall, are on the record as saying they think the federal government should call an inquiry on the issue.
A recent RCMP report finds Aboriginal female murder victims are 12 per cent more likely to be killed by someone other than a current or former spouse than non-Aboriginal victims.
It also finds although Aboriginal women make up only 15 per cent of Saskatchewan’s female population, they account for 55 per cent of all female homicide victims.
The SUMA resolution was put forward by the City of North Battleford.
The Harper government has remained steadfast thus far in its refusal to call an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women.