ETFO Supports Premiers' Call for National Inquiry into Missing Aboriginal Women

TORONTO, July 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) supports the call by provincial and territorial leaders for a national public inquiry into the case of missing or murdered aboriginal women.

The issue was raised at this week's meeting of premiers by the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC). The Association has documented over 600 cases of missing or murdered aboriginal women and girls, and has been calling for an inquiry for a number of years.

"It is not acceptable for the federal government to continue to be silent on this issue," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "The fate of these 600 women has been a concern for many in Canada, and it is time that the Harper government take the necessary steps to ensure that justice prevails for them."

In 2010, ETFO spoke out when the federal government did not renew project funding for Sisters in Spirit, a group created by NWAC to focus on resolving the epidemic of violence against aboriginal women.

"We would expect any government to embrace the goal of ensuring equity and social justice for all women, especially aboriginal women.  The fact that provincial and territorial leaders have endorsed the call for a national inquiry will hopefully convince the federal government to fulfill its fundamental responsibility towards Aboriginal women and move forward with an inquiry."

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations: Cell: 416-948-0195