Statement of Solidarity: No More Violence Against Women and Girls
Vancouver, BC - February 13, 2019- The Coalition on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in BC stands with Secwepemc women, led by Jody Leon, Ida Manuel and other Secwepemc women seeking justice for horrific and deadly violence against women that has occurred in Secwepemc territories and across BC, and that has recently been raised in the trial of Curtis Sagmoen including direct protection of these women from retaliation or harm for their voices of advocacy.
All violence against women and girls is wrong and justice must be found for these women, their loved ones, and communities especially given the recommendations of such in the National Enquiry recommendations.
All women and girls must be able to live free from violence and the threat of violence. The colonial justice system has never fully served the needs of Indigenous peoples and women who have faced violence. Far too often justice is never found for women, girls, LGBTQ2S people, Indigenous people, or for those at the intersections of these identities. Women and loved ones seeking justice must be supported and be safe to advocate for and find justice.
The government must take tangible steps now to deal with the underlying causes of violence against all women and girls, because despite lofty promises, nothing seems to have changed on the ground.
Provincial courts have recently heard the case of Sagmoen, who has been accused of threatening and assaulting women in sex work in four separate incidents. Sagmoen was on trial in Port Coquitlam the week of February 4, in Vernon February 11, and again in September for various charges. RCMP also discovered the remains of 18-year-old Traci Genereaux on the Sagmoen family farm, but no charges have been laid and Sagmoen has not been named a suspect. -XXX-
For comment please call: Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, 250-319-7383
Statement supported by:
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Aboriginal Front Door Society
Aboriginal Women’s Action Network
Battered Women’s Support Services
BC Assembly of First Nations
BC Government Employees Union
BC Native Women’s Association
Butterflies in Spirit
Carrier Sekani Family Services
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
First United
Lorelei Williams, Family Member & Activist
Neskonlith Indian Band
Provincial Council of Women of BC
Salima Samnani, Lawyer
Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society
Vancouver Council of Women
West Coast LEAF