Addressing a problem ‘that’s plaguing our society’

N.L. takes part in countrywide discussion on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls

Judy Manning says those who attended the national roundtable on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Ottawa Friday left feeling a weight of responsibility.

The minister of Justice and Public safety was in the country’s capital for the event with several others from this province, including representatives from the Women’s Policy Office and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.

“And that will be for policing and justice officials throughout the country to come together to address the issues arising out of the problem that we’re seeing with missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.” Judy Manning

Family input

“We were also very happy to have the attendance of a family member with our delegation, a family member of a murdered aboriginal girl.

“So we had a good representation, and certainly it was a very worthwhile event,” she said.

Manning said a framework document was released Friday centring on three themes for leaders to focus on: prevention and awareness; community safety; and policing measures and justice responses.

Another roundtable will take place in 2016, when leaders will update one another on progress they may have made.

“There’s also going to be a meeting hosted by Premier Salinger of Manitoba” Manning said.

“And that will be for policing and justice officials throughout the country to come together to address the issues arising out of the problem that we’re seeing with missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.”

Manning said it was her privilege to attend, and it felt good to see a high participation rate from across Canada.

“Also, it was just very compelling to hear the stories of family members who showed great courage, of course, in coming here, and sharing their stories,” she said.

“It reminds us that the victims of these horrific crimes, they’re loved and missed by their family members, and this is certainly a problem that’s plaguing our society, so it was inspiring to see that strength displayed by family members.

“And certainly I believe that it left everybody with a profound sense of responsibility in terms of addressing this issue in our society.”