Inquiry demanded

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is demanding a national inquiry into missing an murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.

Fiddler was joined in Ottawa on Monday by NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and representatives from several women’s organizations, First Nation and other political leaders at a Parliament Hill press conference.

“We agree on the need for a national plan of action to prevent further violence against Aboriginal women, but it is critical that a national inquiry be held to fully determine the scope of these disappearances and provide accountability and justice for the families,” Fiddler said in a release.

The NAN Women’s Council led a 24-hour ceremonial drumming on Victoria Island, with drumming scheduled to continue on Parliament Hill on Monday.

For 24 hours we are honouring our missing sisters and the sound of our drums will send a message to the prime minister that we will not rest until this government commits to an inquiry to fully investigate these disappearances,” said Jackie Fletcher, spokeswoman for the NAN Women’s Council.

“The homicide rate for our women and girls is shockingly higher than all other women in Canada, and it is shameful that our calls for action continue to fall on deaf ears when our sisters continue to be murdered and disappear without a trace.”

According to figures provided by NAN, the RCMP has compiled 1,186 cases of murdered and missing Aboriginal women, with 1,017 murdered and 169 still missing. Foul play has not been ruled out in 108 of the 169 cases still listed as missing.