Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Research and reports confirm that nationally Aboriginal girls and women face greater and more deadly violence at a rate of four times the average for all Canadian women and go missing at a rate of three times the national average. We need to recognize the causes of violence are complex and that we must work together to address the many factors that contribute to violence against Aboriginal women and girls so we can find solutions. This includes current conditions such as poverty, access to education opportunities, systemic responses and intergenerational impacts of historical trauma suffered in residential schools.

Some of the factors contributing to the high rate of violence against Aboriginal women and girls include attitudes and stereotyping. These attitudes need to change if we are to make a difference. I believe that with the national attention on this issue, attitudes are changing and good work is being done across many jurisdictions.

Through Canada’s Premiers, the Government of the Northwest Territories supports the national Aboriginal organizations’ leaders’ call on the federal government to host a national public inquiry into

missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The Government of the Northwest Territories further supports the proposed roundtable and is encouraged by the federal government’s willingness to participate. The proposed roundtable is being led by the national Aboriginal organizations, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is supporting the development of the roundtable at the request of the national Aboriginal organizations.

With a two-year chairmanship of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group, the Government of the Northwest Territories is well placed to provide focus and coordination on this important issue. Across a number of national tables, including the Status of Women, Ministers of Justice and the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group, Mr. Speaker, Cabinet will be supporting this motion.