April 2, 2015 Bernard Valcourt, MP Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada HOUSE OF COMMONS OTTAWA, ONTARIO KIA OA6 TELEPHONE: (613) 995-0581 FAX: (613) 996-9736 Re: March 20 Comments ~n Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls Tansi Mr. Valcourt, On June 22, 2011 yet anothfr bright light of the life of an Aboriginal woman in this province was darkened. The Cindy Gladue case has brought national attention to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls yet again. This attention however conies in the face of deplorable comments you made in a March meeting of Chiefs and indigenous people inclyding Chief Bernice Martial where, according to a transcript obtained by The Globe and Mail of the priv~te meeting, you said: "I will der you 'cause there is no media in the room that the RCMP report states th~~up to 70 per cent of the murdered and missing indigenous women issue stems from their own communitier" Chief Martial immediately demanded that you clarify your comments, cite your sources and answer for such a deplorable commentary. She should be applauded for her bravery in doing so before all to see. On behalf of the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation, we too demand that you answer for this despicable commentary and clearly uneducated and wilful misunderstanding of the issues facing Aboriginal people in this country today. In addition to adding our voices to the tens of thousands of people in this country calling for an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women, we additionally demand that Jlu retract your statements and issue a public apology. If you cannot do so, or ea ot understand why the commentary you made is inappropriate, you are clearly unqualified to continue as ~ Minister of the Crown for Aboriginal issues. Accordingly you should tender your immediate resignation as your service to the Crown is without honour and clearly without the intentions of good governance or even basic human service. With all due respect, .~, ChiefBernard Ominayak Lubicon Lake Nation Muskotew Sakahikan Enowuk (780) 62 ~94-TllL (780) 629--3939 FAX 1'.O.Box 6731 ?i!.ACE Rrve a, A.8 'fa 1 5 WWW.BICONLAKENATION.COM

Chief Ominayak on Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women

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Chief Bernard Ominayak of the Lubicon Lake Nation delivered a scathing letter to department of Indian Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt on April 2. Chief Ominayak demands that the Minister apologize for disparaging and dismissive remarks regarding murdered and missing indigenous women in Canada and calls for an immediate national inquiry in light of the Cindy Gladue case. Chief Ominayak goes on to state that if the Minister can't or doesn't believe he should deliver, then Valcourt should resign his post.

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Page 1: Chief Ominayak on Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women

April 2, 2015

Bernard Valcourt, MPAboriginal Affairs & Northern Development CanadaHOUSE OF COMMONSOTTAWA, ONTARIO KIA OA6TELEPHONE: (613) 995-0581FAX: (613) 996-9736

Re: March 20 Comments ~n Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls

Tansi Mr. Valcourt,

On June 22, 2011 yet anothfr bright light of the life of an Aboriginal woman in this province wasdarkened. The Cindy Gladue case has brought national attention to the issue of missing and murderedindigenous women and girls yet again.

This attention however conies in the face of deplorable comments you made in a March meeting of Chiefsand indigenous people inclyding Chief Bernice Martial where, according to a transcript obtained by TheGlobe and Mail of the priv~te meeting, you said: "I will der you 'cause there is no media in the room thatthe RCMP report states th~~up to 70 per cent of the murdered and missing indigenous women issue stemsfrom their own communitier" Chief Martial immediately demanded that you clarify your comments, citeyour sources and answer for such a deplorable commentary. She should be applauded for her bravery indoing so before all to see.

On behalf of the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation, we too demand that you answer for thisdespicable commentary and clearly uneducated and wilful misunderstanding of the issues facingAboriginal people in this country today. In addition to adding our voices to the tens of thousands ofpeople in this country calling for an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women, weadditionally demand that Jlu retract your statements and issue a public apology.

If you cannot do so, or ea ot understand why the commentary you made is inappropriate, you are clearlyunqualified to continue as ~Minister of the Crown for Aboriginal issues. Accordingly you should tenderyour immediate resignation as your service to the Crown is without honour and clearly without theintentions of good governance or even basic human service.

With all due respect,

.~,

ChiefBernard OminayakLubicon Lake NationMuskotew Sakahikan Enowuk

(780) 62 ~94-TllL (780) 629--3939 FAX 1'.O.Box 6731 ?i!.ACE Rrve a, A.8 'fa 1 5WWW.BICONLAKENATION.COM