Remembering the Victims of Violence

Today as we mourn victims of violence at Ecole Polytechnique we also mourn the violence that permeates in our society. 

Our aboriginal women are among those who experience the keenest edge of this violence which is rooted in colonization, assimilation, and cultural genocide. 

And while we recognize the great harm we have done to aboriginal women – there is still the lingering violence that manifests itself in the chronic lack of decent housing, educational opportunity and economic security. 

And Mr. Speaker this has been going on for generation. Aboriginal women themselves speak most eloquently to this.  Ms. Pierre of the Robinson Superior Treaty Women’s Council told Parliamentarians, “women are saying the same damn thing that we said 50 years ago.  Why?  What are you people doing that will have some meaningful impact.”