ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS SECRETARIAT INC.

2nd Floor 275 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3 Telephone: (204) 956-0610 Fax: (204) 956-2109

February 27, 2015

To the participants at the National Roundtable on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:

On behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, I am proud that Chief Francine Meeches, Chair of the
AMC Womens Committee, and Chief Cathy Merrick, AMC and MKO Womens Committee member, are
representing First Nations leadership and our people today, at the National Roundtable on Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Chiefs Meeches and Merrick are playing a significant role in the Manitoba delegation, to bring forward
our Families First approach; and effort to engage the families most impacted first, to decide how to
pursue positive action on this tragic situation. Presently, the federal government in particular is willfully
blind to the issues underlying missing and murdered women, and the need to create new protections,
safety and services for our women and girls.
This issue is immensely complex and requires much more than a one day Roundtable, with a preset
agenda. It is incumbent on Crown governments to implement a robust process with targeted goals and
dates, with full acceptance of the responsibility and accountability needed to address our most serious
challenges ahead.
We attach our Statement on Families First addressed to the National Roundtable, for consideration
beyond the three themes to be discussed today. It will also be available on our website,
https://www.manitobachiefs.com.
Every one of our people in our First Nations is either directly affected by the loss of our loved ones,
missing or murdered, or is a relative or friend of the families suffering such loss. We call on the Crown
governments to commit to a Families First approach and longer term investment in returning respect to
our peoples, and safety in our lives.
Miigwech. Ekosani. Mahsi. Wopida.
Sincerely,
ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS

Derek J. Nepinak, LLB, B.A.(Hons.)

Grand Chief, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

HEAD OFFICE: Swan Lake First Nation Unit 9-4820 Portage Avenue Headingley, Manitoba R4H 1C8