Victim of brutal attack makes public plea for missing women inquiry
WINNIPEG — In a brief but poignant speech to hundreds of aboriginal chiefs Tuesday, 16-year-old Rinelle Harper called on them all to continue pushing for a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
And as she spoke quietly in a cavernous convention hall that fell silent, the young woman who was assaulted and left for dead on a river bank in Winnipeg last month also emphasized a personal message: It’s time for love and forgiveness.
“My name is Rinelle Harper. I am a high school student at Southeast Collegiate,” she began as hundreds of chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) listened.
“I’m here to talk about an end to violence against young women. I am happy to be here today to provide you with a few words on behalf of my family.”
Behind Harper on the stage stood her parents, Caesar and Julie, and her sister, Rayne.
“I understand that conversations have been happening all across the country about ending violence against indigenous women and girls.
“But I want to continue on with my life and I am thankful I will be able to go back to school to see my friends and be with my family.”
The teen, holding an eagle feather, said that some people who have visited her since the attack have shared their “stories of healing.”
“I ask that everyone here remembers a few simple words: Love, kindness, respect and forgiveness,” she said.
“As a survivor, I respectfully challenge you all to call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.”
With those words, Harper thanked the gathering for how she and her family were being honoured and then stepped away from the podium. The hall erupted with applause.
Earlier in the day, several chiefs spoke to the gathering about the need to push hard for an inquiry.
“We must learn from her story and say: Not one more,” said Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis.
“There is silence from the federal government. We need an inquiry to look at the root causes and the system changes we need to put in place to end the violence.”
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government continues to reject widespread calls from aboriginals, premiers, and federal opposition parties for a national inquiry.