APC October Update September 25, 2013 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email On October 4th, the Sisters in Spirit Vigils will be held in towns and cities across the country. In 2005, The Liberal Party committed more than 5 million over 5 years to Sisters in Spirit through the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). Through their research it was determined that there are more than 600 missing and murdered indigenous women across Canada. To put this into perspective, if the same percentage of non-indigenous women in Canada were missing or murdered, the number would now be over 19,000. Liberals have long advocated for a national public inquiry into the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This year, MP Carolyn Bennett effectively rallied for a special parliamentary committee which is now in jeopardy with the proroguing of Parliament. We encourage the government to support the continuation of the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women. Also, we stand united with NWAC, Sisters in Spirit, and the countless families and relatives across the country as they march on October 4th to bring awareness to this national tragedy. We encourage Liberals in their respective locations across Canada to join up with or host a Vigil. Details are here: http://www.nwac.ca/2013-vigil-locations October 7th marks the 250 year anniversary of the 1763 Royal Proclamation; a document that was issued by King George III. It recognizes and affirms aboriginal title had existed and continues to exist today. All land under this document is considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty. It forbids settlers from claiming land until it is bought by the crown then sold to the settlers. The document is still valid and is enshrined in section 25 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states “The guarantee in this Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any aboriginal, treaty or other rights of freedoms that pertain to the aboriginal peoples of Canada including (a) any rights or freedoms that have been recognized by the Royal Proclamation of October 7th, 1763; and (b) any rights of freedoms that may be acquired by the aboriginal peoples of Canada by way of land claims settlement.” The Royal Proclamation is a historic document and one that we should pause to remind ourselves of and realize our shared collective history as we are all treaty people. October 7th is also a date for us to celebrate and honor the treaties which are our shared collective history as Canadians.