'Never again:' GTC president
Gwich'in to discuss solutions for violence against women following teen girl's death in Whitehorse
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 22, 2014
GWICH'IN NATION
Gwich'in Tribal Council president James Wilson is calling for a dialogue on violence against women in response to the recent death of 17-year-old Brandy Vittrekwa.
Wilson issued a letter to the presidents of the designated Gwich'in organizations Dec. 15 asking them to come prepared to discuss the topic at the next board of directors meeting.
"Though it sounds like a goal beyond our reach, I want us to consider concrete steps we can take to assure that never again will we learn of another young Gwich'in woman passing away on account of an act of senseless violence," Wilson stated in the letter, which was made public on the council's Facebook page.
Vittrekwa's body was found Dec. 8 on a walking trail in Whitehorse's McIntyre subdivision. RCMP suspect foul play in her death and are investigating accordingly.
Vittrekwa moved with her family from her hometown of Fort McPherson to Whitehorse about two years ago. When she was younger, she also lived in Old Crow with her grandparents.
No charges have been laid in relation to the case, according to RCMP Cpl. Natasha Dunmall.
"A suspect in the case is currently in custody but on unrelated charges. Because we have not charged the individual in relation to this matter it would not be proper to release any further details that would identify the suspect at this time," said Dunmall.
Her family held a funeral for her Dec. 18 in Fort McPherson, followed by a feast at Chief Julius School.
Family and friends travelled from all over the territories – Whitehorse, Inuvik, Yellowknife and Tuktoyaktuk – to attend.
Marlene Snowshoe, Vittrekwa's aunt, said the community really pulled together to put on the funeral and ensure her niece's parents and 11-year-old brother are taken care of.
The high school students even created a banner for Vittrekwa and wrote messages about her, added Snowshoe.
"She has so many friends here," she said. "Everybody enjoyed her company and she always was smiling. She just brightened up everybody's day."
Snowshoe said she doesn't believe violence against women will ever cease to be an issue but it's encouraging that the Gwich'in leadership has made a commitment to discuss the topic.
"We have to step up now and start saying things about this more and more. That way it will at least try to ease (the problem)," she said. "We have to pray for people that still live through (violence), especially all the women. Even the teenagers are going through that in such young relationships. Some of them don't have children yet and they should get out right now before it gets too late."
Aboriginal women are nearly three times more likely to be murdered by a stranger than non-aboriginal women are, according to a fact sheet produced by the Native Women's Association of Canada.
In the NWT, the rate of police-reported incidents of violence against women is nine times the Canadian average, a 2012 Statistics Canada report shows.
The report also found that 47 of 51 females killed in the territory between 1980 and 2012 were aboriginal.
Canadian premiers, aboriginal leaders and regular citizens have called for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has refused and reiterated his position during a recent year-end interview with CBC's Peter Mansbridge. He said a formal inquest isn't high on the Conservatives radar.
There is already a lot of information and reports on this "phenomenon," said Harper.
"We can spend hundreds of millions of dollars to get the same report for the 41st or 42nd time, or we can actually take action. And that's what we're trying to do."
Wilson said he believes the issue of violence against women has been left unaddressed for far too long and it's time for the Gwich'in leadership step forward and open a discussion.
He admits he's no expert on the issue but he's willing to work toward finding ways to do something about it.
"If we observe some of the court proceedings we see a lot of this violence that takes place and nothing is really done, it appears that way anyway," said Wilson. "I think the board needs to be aware of this and I just want to get their thoughts on these kinds of violent acts. Perhaps as we begin the process of discussing this, then maybe an effort to hopefully do something will come about. I'm not sure what but we're not going to find out until we talk about it.
"We need to at least make it known we're on the side of women and we're opposed to violence in general."
Hopefully the actions of the leadership will inspire community members to take action, he said.
Wilbert Firth, president of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council in Fort McPherson, said he agrees a conversation about violence against women needs to be had.
"It has to be addressed so it's good he brought it up or put it on the agenda for the next tribal board meeting," said Firth, adding the next meeting will likely take place in January.
"We're going to work on it. We have to do something, have a plan."
