Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Between 1980 and 2014, there were 6,849 police-reported female homicide cases in Canada. Among the total number of female victims, 16% were Indigenous women.

One of the major problems currently plaguing the Indigenous populations of Canada is that of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. This is another issue that Indigenous woman must deal with besides the childhood trauma passed down from multiple generations of abuse at the hands of the Canadian government and the church, sex trafficking, and increased risk due to higher levels of substance abuse in response to aforementioned high levels of trauma within the population. The following facts are reported by Canadian Department of Justice:

      Indigenous women represent 10% of the total population of missing women in Canada. According to the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: 2015 Update to the National Operational Overview report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Indigenous women represent 10% (174) of the total population of women in Canada missing for at least 30 days reported by the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) (1,750). Of these, 111 women were identified as missing due to “unknown” circumstances or foul play was suspected. Proportion of Indigenous women homicide victims increased since 1991.

Between 1980 and 2014, there were 6,849 police-reported female homicide cases in Canada. Among the total number of female victims, 16% were Indigenous women. Since 1991, the number of murdered non-indigenous women has declined. In contrast, the number of murdered Indigenous women has remained relatively stable, thus accounting for an increasing proportion of Indigenous female homicide victims. For example, in 1980, Indigenous women accounted for 9% (18) of female homicide victims, whereas in 2014, they accounted for 21% (30) of female homicide victims. In 2014, the rate of homicide of Indigenous women (3.64 per 100,000) was almost six times higher than non-Indigenous women (0.65 per 100,000).

The prairies also had a higher police-reported homicide rate of Indigenous women than the overall rate in Canada. The largest difference in police-reported homicide rates between Indigenous women and non-Indigenous women was in the Yukon (12 times higher for Indigenous women) and in Saskatchewan (11 times higher for Indigenous women). Half of the homicides of Indigenous women were committed by a family member.

Of the total solved homicide cases of Indigenous women between 1980 and 2014, half (53%) were committed by a family member, a quarter (26%) by an acquaintance and 8% by strangers. The 2014 homicide survey found that fewer homicides of Indigenous women occurred in a residence (66%) compared to non-Indigenous women (88%). In addition, 17% of homicides of Indigenous women occurred on a street, a road, or a highway compared to 1% of non-Indigenous women. (Department of Justice Canada, 2017)

                While we do need to be cautious when making comparisons on such small numbers in Canada, taking a brief look at some of the statistics from our southern neighbors, the United States, helps to bring the epidemic against Indigenous women in North America into proportion. This from www.nativewomenswilderness.org:

• Indigenous Women (girls +) murdered 10x higher than all other ethnicities.

• Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women (Centers for Disease Control).

• More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous Women have experienced violence (84.3%) (National Institute of Justice Report).

• More than half Indigenous Women experience sexual violence (56.1%).

• More than half Indigenous Women have been physically abused by their intimate partners (55.5%).

• Less than half of Indigenous Women have been stalked in their lifetime (48.8%).

• Indigenous Women are 1.7 times more likely than Anglo-American women to experience violence.

• Indigenous Women are 2 times more likely to be raped than Anglo-American white women.

• Murder rate of Indigenous Women is 3 times higher than Anglo-American women.

            Being an Indigenous woman in North America is one of the least, if not the least, physically safe demographics. I encourage the reader to check out the full report of the national inquiry at

https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/

Darren Grimes