About this Book

We were not provided with the 2 Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls P R E F A C E time, tools and powers to do all that we had hoped we could do, but you walked with us every step of the way, and we are beyond humbled to have walked alongside you, and to have received your truth and your trust. [...] Despite the numerous human rights laws and instruments the federal, provincial and territorial governments are bound by, and despite the recognition and affirmation of Indigenous rights in our Constitution, and the numer- ous court decisions calling for rights recognition and respect, this is not the reality for Indigenous Peoples, and especially Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in C [...] We are here 9 Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls P R E F A C E now because of years and years of decisions and actions that built Canada, all while robbing Indigenous Peoples, and especially women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA peoples, of their humanity, dignity and ultimately their lives. [...] In carrying out this mandate, it was important to the National Inquiry to create a process that put family members and survivors first, to help create a path towards healing, and to find, honour and give life to the truth, given the undeniable need to transform the conversation about Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in this country and in our Nations. [...] The record created, the fires lit and the many connections made through the work of the National Inquiry, give strength and support for concrete and effective action that can be taken to remove systemic causes of violence and to increase the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada.