– Victims deserve justice, and their families deserve the opportunity to heal their wounds and be heard. We must work together and put an end to this tragedy that continues to occur, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the national meeting of the Assembly of First Nations last week.

At last week’s national meeting, Canada’s largest indigenous organization received a visit from the country’s prime minister for the first time in several years.

Trudeau’s speech contained

many beautiful promises for a better indigenous policy,

and this was of course well received at the meeting. One of the promises is to start

a national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women.

1,200 missing and killed in 30 years

Over the past 30 years, nearly 1,200 Indigenous women and girls have disappeared or been killed in Canada.

Most of the country’s indigenous people are affected in one way or another.

Stéphanie, the daughter of Michele Pineault, was killed 19 years ago. The alleged perpetrator is serial killer Robert Pickton.

This murder led to calls for a national investigation.

– I always fight for my daughter. For 19 years I have been trying to get justice for my daughter. It was a long road and we fought for a long time. That’s why I’m happy that this day has finally arrived, says Michele Pienault.

Many natives feel repeatedly deceived by empty promises, but they still have not lost hope.

– Today, I hope that this government knows what it is doing and that it keeps its promises, declares Sue Caribou of the “Families First Foundation” organization.

This organization is an association supporting loved ones and loved ones of all Indigenous women in Canada who over the years have disappeared or been killed. The fund provides financial support to those who need it. This is done by first listening to the needs of families.

– Collaboration with families

The Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, herself belongs to the First Nations, that is to say the indigenous peoples of Canada.

The Minister of Justice delivered a moving speech at the national meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

– No investigation can undo what happened. It also cannot make up for what has been lost, but it can help us find ways in which the country can improve the situation for indigenous women, and we will do it together, said Wilson-Raybould.

The work to find out what happened and what needs to be done will take place in collaboration with the families who lost their loved ones in tragic circumstances.

A website will also be created where the people of Canada can get information about what is happening.

As a thank you to the Minister of State for his excellent speech, National Chief Perry Bellegarde presented Justin Trudeau with a gift.

The Prime Minister received a “star-spangled blanket,” considered a high honor among First Nations. The blanket guarantees the Prime Minister protection, love and warmth for the future.