Assembly of First Nations Supports All Actions toward Safety for Indigenous Women and Girls
(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo encourages all efforts for positive change for First Nations and Indigenous peoples globally, offering support for specific action today to end violence against Indigenous women and girls.
“At a time when the need for fundamental and transformative change for First Nations in this country is top of mind for many, we must continue to press hard at every level on the safety and security for women and girls,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. “We owe it to this generation and those to come, to make all efforts that our Indigenous sisters have every opportunity to grow, thrive and succeed in safe and healthy environments.”
As the House of Commons is presently debating the creation of a special committee on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, today we see millions of Indigenous peoples, Canadians and citizens world-wide standing up and showing support for change. Events, marches and rallies are planned across Canada in support of the Families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, including the 22nd Annual February 14 Women’s Memorial March which will begin at noon PST in Vancouver http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/ and the Families of Sisters In Spirit February 14 day of Justice Rally and Memorial March at 11:45 a.m. ET in Ottawa https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/432421940140280/.
AFN continues to work in coordination with First Nations across the country and other Indigenous and women’s organizations, including the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) to develop a national action plan to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. To further this work AFN and NWAC will host a National Forum on Community Safety and Ending Violence in April 2013.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow us on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms | 
