Statement: On the occasion of the NWAC/AFN National Forum on Community Safety & Ending Violence April 9, 2013 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email For Immediate Release April 9, 2013 EDMONTON – The APC National Vice-President (Women), Naomi Sayers, released the following statement today on the occasion of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Forum on Community Safety & Ending Violence: As the National Vice-President (Women) for the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada, I am writing to express my regret at being unable to attend (due to school commitments) the National Forum on Community Safety & Ending Violence which is being jointly conducted by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) this week in Edmonton, Alberta. Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls is a critical issue that needs to be immediately addressed; and one that should involve all levels of government, Aboriginal organizations, and our people. The Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, has been an ardent supporter for all issues relating to Aboriginal communities/people; she has worked collaboratively with Liberal Senators Lillian Dyck and Sandra Lovelace-Nicholas in parliament to call specific attention to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (#MMIWG); and I believe that these joint efforts — between both the NWAC, the AFN, and interested partners — will be a step toward making the positive change that will ensure community safety and especially, the ending of violence directed toward Indigenous women. Given that Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women, we as a country need to continue working together to address the social injustices plaguing Indigenous communities. I invite my peers and colleagues to support the outcomes of the forum and on behalf of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada, I would like to wish all organizers and participants a successful event! – 30 – For more information on the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, please contact: Kevin Seesequasis Vice-President (Communications) Contact Us