May 20, 2022
Mi’kma’ki – The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) are showing support and solidary with the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick as they call for an Indigenous-led inquiry into systemic racism in the justice system. The Assembly sees this as a necessity across Canada, including Nova Scotia.
Stemming from the inquiry into the death of Chantel Moore, a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member living in New Brunswick, where the jury found her death to be a homicide, Chiefs from across Mi’kma’ki are concerned about how the recommendations coming from that inquest will be implemented.
“We are constantly advocating for better for our people, and that includes within the justice system and for our MMIWG,” said Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley, Co-Chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Martha Martin, her daughter Gracie, Grandmother Grace Frank and their whole family, having to relive the trauma of that fateful night, through the testimonies in Chantel’s trial.”
The data is clear in various reports and studies by our organizations representing Indigenous women in Canada, and in Canada’s reports themselves, that Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ are at significantly increased risk of violence. The Assembly agrees with voices heard across the country this week, that this should not come at the hands of those who are supposed to protect us and, in Chantel’s case, were there to do a wellness check on her.
“It hurts and affects each and every one of us when we hear about tragedies impacting our Indigenous women and girls,” continued Chief Bernard-Daisley. “It breaks our hearts when news spreads about yet another Indigenous woman who has been taken from us. We need to find ways to improve the system now.”