b'against Indigenous women, girls andFinal Report was released. Chief Stone-2SLGBTQQIA people.fish explains that the purpose of the Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnnethird gathering would be to review the Archibald was in attendance when theNational Inquirys recommendations in Final Report was released. She founddetermining how to move forward in that the comprehensive report providedtaking a healing-centred approach based by the Commissioners reflects the experi- on the Ontario First Nations-led inquiry ence of the survivors and families, andprocess and its recommendations into the 231 Calls to Justice are extensive andOntarios Missing and Murdered Indig-far-reaching.enous Women and Girls (and Men/Boys).Ontario Regional Chief ArchibaldWhatever the results or tangible reports that in Ontario they are at thesolutions that is recommended for beginning stages of pushing for theaction will certainly be forwarded to implementation of the Calls for Justice.the Assembly of First Nations Womens COO has commissioned that a discus- Council, she says. sion paper be done on our strategies forAccording to Chief Stonefish, the rolling out those recommendations andthird family gathering is to be a First following up on the 231 Calls to Justice.Nations-driven process to end violence A work plan and strategies are beingin First Nations communities, whereby drafted using the discussion paper. reports that are forgotten. It needs toFirst Nations design the process based on The Chiefs of Ontario is taking abe actioned, says Ontario Regionalinput from families and survivors. She families-first approach. We really wantChief Archibald.says that this work is important because to ensure the families of the MMIWG+As the Ontario Regional Chiefevery Indigenous woman and girl are really engaged in the process and thatreports, the Chiefs of Ontario continueshould feel safe every time of every day they are leading the process. They areto push for a families-first approach inin every place in Canada. at the centre of our work, says OntarioOntario. The Chiefs of Ontario didntOn September 9, 2015, the Chiefs Regional Chief Archibald. Althoughwait around for the Final Report to beof Ontario launched the Who Is She there is no federal funding attached toreleased. Through the Ontario Firstcampaign, which is a digital fundraising this work, the Ontario Regional ChiefNations Womens Caucus (FNWC), theycampaign that educates and brings aware-said she initiated this work because shehave been working closely with familiesness about MMIWG and the violence is the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)of MMIWG+. faced by Indigenous women and girls. executive member who works with theDirected by the Chiefs in Assembly,The purpose of the campaign is to raise AFN Womens Council. The Nationalthe FNWC held their first gathering forfunds for a First Nations-led and commu-Inquiry into MMIWG+ is one of thethe families of MMIWG+ in 2015.nity-driven process to stop violence AFNs Womens Councils biggest files. Itagainst Indigenous women and girls. is connected to her work at the AFN butDenise Stonefish, Chief of Delaware is also a priority in Ontario.Nation at Moraviantown, previously satChief Stonefish explains that the Ontario Regional Chief Archibaldas the Chair of the FNWC. She explainsWho Is She campaignand the results knows of several initiatives that arethat the Ontario First Nations-ledof Chiefs of Ontarios Third Family starting to be implemented in Ontario.inquiry process was initiated because theGatheringcan feed into the AFN The Anishinabek Nation had a call outOntario First Nations leadership andWomens Councils work of advocating for a consultation to draft a similar kindOntario First Nations Womens Caucusfor the implementation of the National of report that COO had commissioned,did not want to wait for the MMIWGInquirys Final Reports Calls for Justice. but specifically for their organization.National Inquiry or the Assembly ofThe families-first approach ensures The Sudbury Regional Police launchedFirst Nations. that survivors and families are actively a toolkit for missing people with a focusThe work of the FNWC was takingengaged every step of the way and are on MMIWG in late August. These areplace while the National Inquiry wasinvolved in the ongoing implementation examples of groups that are being proac- trying to get itself established. Ourof health supports and services.tive with this work in Ontario.women and girls continued to goThe FNWC recently received a grant In the Ontario Regional Chiefs view,missing and be murdered while leavingto host a Third Family Gathering Plan-this report is one of the most impor- the families without the much-neededning Process. This small, family-centred tant reports that has come out of Primeanswers and supports. It was felt thatgathering focus group met to discuss the Minister Justin Trudeaus government inFirst Nations families and survivors inrequirements and gather input on what his first term.Ontario and the Chiefs of Ontario couldis needed and who should be prioritized We are going to continue to push tobe ready for the National Inquiry. So, atin the third family gathering. ensure that those 231 Calls to Justice arethat time, there was a sense of urgency,This work is important as this is not followed up on by all levels of govern- says Chief Stonefish.just an Ontario First Nation issue, not ment, policing agencies and the judicialAfter hosting two gatherings for thejust an AFN issue, this is a Canadian system. We are going to push hard tofamilies, the FNWC knew there wouldissueending violence against all women make sure that this isnt just one of thosebe a need for a third gathering once theand girls, says Chief Stonefish. ISSUE 2 2019/20C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE l 19'