Aboriginal leaders from across the country are again calling for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day.
National Chief Shawn Atleo says the Assembly of First Nations will continue to press for an inquiry to address root causes of violence and focus on awareness and prevention.
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice Chief Kimberly Jonathon says the FSIN is working to establish a First Nation Women’s Institute.
She says it would provide education, training and employment opportunities to improve the social and health conditions for First Nations women.
The FSIN notes that 20% of the women and girls missing nationally are Aboriginal. In Saskatchewan, the rate is 38%. Meanwhile, the federation says an average of 67% of all women and girls killed in Canada are Aboriginal. In Saskatchewan, the average is 61%.
The provincial government says between April 2011 and March 2012, 772 women and 983 children entered emergency shelters in Saskatchewan to escape violence and abuse.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour says, on any given day, more than 3,000 women and 2,500 children are living in emergency shelters across the country.
The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to act more decisively to help end the daily threat to the safety and well-being of women and girls.