Press Release
Kuujjuaq – June 4, 2019 – Makivvik welcomes and supports the report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls. As an indigenous organization that represents the Inuit of Nunavik we took special note of the Inuit specific recommendations in the report. Many of those highlighted are already being worked on by Makivvik.
For example the call for recognition and implementation of Inuit self-determination is of great interest to us and we are progressing towards negotiating a governing system based on Inuit laws, values, heritage and language.
The Government inquiry also recommends rewriting Canadian history which includes the lives of its aboriginal peoples. Our lives have been omitted from Canadian History books for as long as can be remembered. For the past five years Makivvik has been investing time and money producing television series documenting the building of modern day Nunavik through the lens of Inuit. Not only are these videos sought after by the youth, schools and even future lawyers have asked for copies. One of our next moves is to setup an Inuit Publishing House to produce literature by Inuit authors.
Makivvik also takes note of the call for all governments to respect the rights of Inuit children on their homeland because we need to overhaul the Youth Protection Act and the Young Offenders Act need to make them more reflective of Inuit culture. We support the recommendation on Nunavik policing which calls on the Federal and Provincial Governments to ensure the intent and objectives of the Inuit policing provisions of the JBNQA are upheld .
Makivvik President, Charlie Watt says, “I encourage everyone to read the report in honour of the many women and children who are missing or murdered simply because they are indigenous. It took the inquiry two years to complete the findings and we will continue to fight for justice until we see change no matter how long it takes.”
Recommendations can be downloaded here: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
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Contact:
William Tagoona
Political Advisor
Communications Director
Makivvik
Tel. 819-964-2925
wtagoona@makivik.org
Makivvik is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.