Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) demands an end to the flawed Missing Women’s Commission of Inquiry which has seen Director of Operations and Planning, John Boddie, placed on leave citing investigation into claims of harassment, intimidation and conflict within the inquiry office. Furthermore, CSTC demands that Mr. Boddie should be on unpaid leave considering the severity of these allegations.
The alleged accusations within the commission speaks volumes to the systemic issues that led to the initial misconduct of the VPD and RCMP investigations into the murdered and missing women across British Columbia. Tribal Chief David Luggi states, “This is yet another stark example of the general mindset which creates violence against women, where male members of the commission responsible for bringing justice to this process are making lewd comments about their coworker’s body image.” Luggi concluded, “How’s the commission going to get a fair and just outcome for the murdered and missing women with attitudes displayed by those leading this commission?”
Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee states, “It’s painfully obvious this commission has been deeply flawed from the start, with no legitimacy whatsoever.” Teegee concluded, “it seems now, with these new allegations, the Inquiry is rotting from the inside and is destined to fail the people it was supposed to serve, our most vulnerable.”
The CSTC, representing a high percentage of First Nation’s women whose lives have tragically ended through sexism and violence, are opposed to the inquiry moving forward. We share the concerns of all of the other aboriginal agencies and legal representative who have withdrawn from the process citing it to be unjust, unrepresentative of Aboriginal interests and riddled with systemic racism and sexism.
We call for the disbandment of this commission and the creation of a new and inclusive process which will bring justice to the atrocities that have occurred, and ensure that accountable and fair investigations occur in the future.
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For further information contact:
Tribal Chief David Luggi: 250-562-6279 ext.226; Cell 250-640-6622
Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee: 250-562-6279 ext.223; Cell 250-640-3256