Report Released On Missing And Unsolved Murdered Indigenous People In OPP Jurisdiction - 1956-2014

 Eight of 46 murdered Indigenous women unsolved; eight Indigenous women missing
One of 126 murdered Indigenous men unsolved; 39 Indigenous men missing

VAUGHAN, ON, Dec. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released a comprehensive report on missing and unsolved murdered indigenous people in OPP jurisdiction. The report was released at a news conference today by Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES and Detective Superintendent Dave TRUAX of OPP Criminal Investigation Services who were accompanied by Ontario Regional Chief Isadore DAY and Deputy Grand Chief Denise STONEFISH of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.

Beginning in 2011, the OPP began proactively reviewing all available information on homicide investigations and unsolved missing persons and unidentified remains in OPP jurisdiction where the victim was identified or self-identified as Aboriginal. The report covers a period from 1956 to 2014.

To the end of 2014, there were 54 homicides involving Indigenous females on OPP jurisdiction; eight (8) of which remain unsolved for a clearance rate of 85.2 per cent. Of the 46 solved female Indigenous homicides;

• 9 were murdered by family member;
• 17 were murdered by Domestic Partner/Spouse;
• 19 were murdered by persons known to victim;
• 1 was of Unknown Circumstances.

For the period of 1978 to December 2014, inclusive, there were 126 homicides of Indigenous males in OPP jurisdiction – only one remains unsolved for a clearance rate of 99.2 per cent. Of the 125 cases that were solved:

• 35 were murdered by Family members;
• 10 were murdered by Domestic Partner/Spouse;
• 70 were murdered by persons known to victim;
• 9 were of Unknown circumstances; and,
• 1 is not available.

During the same period, there were eight (8) missing Indigenous females reported to the OPP who remain missing – foul play is possible or suspected in one (1) of these occurrences. Presently, there are 39 cases that involve missing Indigenous males. Police believe foul play is possible or suspected for 22 missing Indigenous men; 17 are considered missing persons. 

The OPP Report on Missing And Unsolved Murdered Indigenous People In OPP Jurisdiction is currently available in English via the OPP website (www.opp.ca/mumip) and will be translated in French, the five recognized Aboriginal languages in Ontario -- Cree, Oji-Cree, Ojibway, Oneida, and Mohawk -- and in Algonquin.

QUOTES

"We recognize that there are many unanswered questions and that we cannot reverse the outcomes for the families and loved ones of those have gone missing or were murdered. We hope information in the OPP report generates further discussion, potential leads, and/or resolution for the families and communities who have suffered loss." -- Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES, Ontario Provincial Police

"The release of this report is timely to the start of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) National Inquiry and the release of the full report from the Truth and Reconciliation process. Now it's time to get work done based on a new social lens in Canada. Reconciliation means that all Canadians, all organizations, all political stripes and authorities, roll up their sleeves and begin to change a Nation. The Ontario Provincial Police report on missing and murdered First Nation citizens gives us a good starting point." -- Chief Isadore DAY, Ontario Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations

DID YOU KNOW

Policing responsibility in Ontario is shared by the OPP, 52 municipal and/or regional police services, and nine (9) self-directed First Nation police services. OPP jurisdiction includes geographic areas under direct OPP policing including 324 Ontario municipalities, some of which have transitioned with their records and files to the OPP in recent years, along with 38 First Nations communities the OPP polices directly or for which it administers policing. The 52 jurisdictions that are not policed by the OPP are independent or regional municipalities within the Province of Ontario that receive policing services under terms of the Police Services Act. These are self-funded, stand-alone municipal or regional police services covering their respective geographic boundaries.

SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police

Sgt. Peter Leon, OPP Provincial Media Coordinator, Phone (cell): [phone]