Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls recently held a series of meetings in Yellowknife. Over three days, the inquiry invited testimony from witnesses who had pre-registered, while also remaining open to anyone who had not registered but still wanted to speak. Evening events were also held to celebrate Dene, Inuit, and Metis culture. These meetings were intense and emotional, as women and men from across the territory gathered to speak their truth. Their stories exposed the undercurrents of pain, grief, loss, and trauma that run through the lives of many of our people. I thank these women and men for their courage and strength to speak out in the face of trauma and ongoing discrimination against Native peoples.
I also want to recognize a group of young people from my riding who also travelled from Fort Providence to stand witness to the inquiry. Led by Beverly Hope, four young ladies, Amber Gargan, Shanita Landry, Kate Brule, and Bailey Gargan, came together to discuss the stereotypes Indigenous women face and how they can respond to violence in their home communities. Mr. Speaker, these youth set an example for us as adults.
Witnesses told the inquiry of the need to break the silence on abuse, discrimination, and violence. We also heard loud and clear that both counselling options and opportunities for recourse through the justice system are not sufficient. As Indigenous people have told the inquiry at every stop, healing is needed to recognize and address the impacts of trauma and colonization. Mr. Speaker, Leona Brule is from Fort Providence. She is missing, and she has never been found. Phillip Leishmann is from Kakisa. He is missing and has never been found.
To strive for equality of women and men in all aspects of society, multi-faceted solutions are needed: Health and Social Services must continue its work to address systemic discrimination; the problems facing our Child and Family Services must be tackled; and the Department of Justice must continue to work to address security and inmate concerns in its facilities as well as a support for the men's healing program.
Violence against women must stop. We must stop it. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
