ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS RESOLUTIONS UPDATE REPORT FOR 2012 AGA RESOLUTIONS Chief Garrison Settee, 1 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Chief Perry Bellegarde, Pimicikamak Okimawin, Women and Girls, 2012 Cross Lake, MB Little Black Bear First Nation, SK THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs-in-Assembly: 1. Make a personal and public declaration to take full responsibility to be violence free and commit to taking all actions available to them to uphold and ensure the rights of Indigenous women and girls. 2. Affirm: a. that further to Resolution 61/2010, the AFN call upon Canada to jointly establish an independent, public commission into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. b. that further to Resolution 02/2011, the AFN call upon Canada to convene a Royal Commission on Violence against Indigenous Girls and Women to make concrete and specific recommendations to end violence against Indigenous girls and women at a national level. c. the direction for the AFN to demand that the Government of Canada support community based- initiatives and national programs that seek to promote public awareness and carry out advocacy and research about violence against Indigenous women; restore funding to the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) for maintenance of a national database on missing and murdered Indigenous women; and, ensure proper facilities and services are available within communities for those whom are victims or have lost their loved ones through acts of violence. d. the direction to the AFN and the National Chief to strongly advocate for the full protection and safety of First Nations women across Canada. 3. Direct the National Chief and the AFN to engage in and to support the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) inquiry procedure regarding disappearances and murders of Aboriginal women and girls in Canada initiated under Article 8 of the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and to urge the Committee to visit Canada and to call on the Government of Canada to fully cooperate with all stages of the CEDAW inquiry procedure regarding disappearances and murders of Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. 4. Designate October 4 as an annual National Day of Remembrance on which all First Nation governments and communities will join in Sisters in Spirit Candlelight Vigils and commemorations of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and participate in actions in support of the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 5. Direct the AFN to convene a National Forum and Special Chiefs Assembly on Justice and Community Safety in 2012-13 in collaboration with NWAC, to include focus on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, and broader actions to end violence. 6. Call for a National Day of Action on missing and murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to take place on October 18, 2012 inclusive of national and regional activities. 7. Direct the AFN to call on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to establish a National Integrated RCMP and Police Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, in order to coordinate the several specific initiatives being carried out between the RCMP, other police services, First Nations and government officials, including those in Vancouver, the “Highway of Tears” in northern British Columbia, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Whitehorse. UPDATE: AFN has undertaken coordinated efforts to raise awareness and encourage action on violence against Indigenous peoples and the overly high incidences of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. At the 2012 Annual General Assembly (AGA), AFN presented: Demanding Justice and Fulfilling Rights: A Strategy to End Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls. The Strategy contains a number of priority activities in awareness raising, parliamentary and international engagement, policy and research and facilitating dialogue to support communities in their efforts to increase safety and end violence. Work to implement the strategy continues. Chiefs and delegates at the AGA signed a banner and made a person pledge to “live violence free and to personally work to achieve safety and security for all Indigenous peoples – women and men, girls and boys”. This pledge is also available online and AFN has actively encouraged all Indigenous citizens and Canadians to sign-on as part of the “i pledge. end violence.” campaign to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (October 4, 2012) and the first National Day of Action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (October 18, 2012). AFN National Chief and AFN Executive attended the Sisters in Spirit rally and candlelight vigil on October 4 in memory of murdered and missing Indigenous women. National Chief Atleo also attended a regional memorial/rally in Edmonton, Alberta on October 6, 2012. On October 18, 2012, AFN and the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) held a webcast on actions to end violence, which highlighted the need for a National Public Commission of Inquiry. An archive of this webcast can be found on www.afn.ca. With the support of CUPE National, AFN launched a postcard campaign calling for a National Public Commission of Inquiry and National Chief Atleo and Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) President Michèle Audette have written the Prime Minister to take action on this matter. On November 1 – 2, 2012, Manitoba convened the 3rd National Aboriginal Women’s Summit (NAWS III) in Winnipeg, which had special focus on murdered and missing women. Representatives from the AFN National Women’s Council and regional organizations participated in this meeting, however there was very limited opportunity for their engagement. Provinces committed to raise the matter of a national inquiry with their respective premiers and to revisit this at the next meeting of the Council of the Federation Aboriginal Affairs Working Group in April 2013. To respond to closed nature of the NAWS III, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Southern Chiefs Organization and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak hosted a NAWS III shadow event called Sounding our Voices. National Chief Atleo and AFN officials fully participated in the shadow event, supporting Manitoba leadership and communities. In April 2013, the AFN co-hosted the National Forum on Community Safety and Ending Violence with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) The intent of the Forum was to seek input into the development of National Action Plan to end violence containing concrete and tangible actions for all levels of government and building on successful and innovative initiatives. Key areas of discussion included addressing structural violence and systemic racism; building strong and healthy communities; cultural connections and resiliency; strengthening partnership and awareness; intergovernmental relationships, coordination and accountability. In addition, the Forum featured a number of speakers and participants engaged directly in action planning, providing written recommendations in small groups and on their own. The National Action Plan to End Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls is being developed incorporating input from the Forum along with direction from Chiefs and previous recommendations. The Plan will be presented at the 2013 AGA. In addition, AFN is being funded by the Department of Justice to provide support to the families of those who are missing or murdered. In December of 2011, the AFN and RCMP signed a work plan on missing and murdered Aboriginal persons. The objective of this work plan was to establish trusting and reciprocal relationships among the parties with the goal of jointly addressing the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal persons. This includes resolution of historical cases and related issues, prevention of new incidences, and communication with victims, families and the community at the earliest possible opportunity. Implementation of the work plan will be evaluated shortly and an assessment made on how best to further this work. AFN provided a submission to the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the chair of the National Women’s Council attended the 57th session in March 2013, which focused on Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. AFN also was part of a Joint Statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on the Study on the extent of violence against indigenous women and girls in terms of Article 22 (2) of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, signed on to by 11 other Indigenous and Human Rights organizations, calling for a comprehensive Plan of Action to address violence. 2 Fully Supporting the Role of the AFN Noel Joe, Proxy, Lennard Joe, Proxy, Tri-Council Miawpukek First Nation, Shackan First Nation, NF BC THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs-in-Assembly: 1. Affirm their ongoing and strong support for the AFN Tri-Council. 2. Direct the AFN Secretariat to ensure ongoing meaningful involvement of the Tri-Council in development of policies and priorities and in National Gatherings. 3. Direct the AFN Secretariat to examine its operating and planning practices, including budget allocations, to ensure these fully incorporate involvement from the councils. UPDATE: Steps have been taken to ensure the AFN Tri-Council (National Women’s Council, Elders Council and Youth Council) are supported through improved communication and central coordination. The Tri-Council was actively involved in the Chiefs Assembly on Education; participated in the joint AFN-NWAC National Forum on Community Safety and Ending Violence and the Women’s Council was invited to make up AFN’s delegation to the 3rd National Aboriginal Women’s Summit. The A/Chief Executive Officer has monthly calls with tri-council representatives to keep them apprised of work underway within the AFN and ensure they can have meaningful input. In addition there is work underway with in the Secretariat host Tri-Council specific fundraisers to support their work.