Reconciliation Action Group calls on Danielle Smith to implement ‘Pathways to Justice’
By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 12, 2022.
Danielle Smith was sworn in as premier on Tuesday, and with this new role comes new responsibilities as the leader of Alberta.With this, Indigenous activists are hoping to see Smith’s government take action towards the 113 Pathways to Justice outlined by the Alberta Joint Working Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls.
Reconciliation Action Group, a grassroots organization that pushes for meaningful work on reconciliation, argue Smith and her government must work to swiftly enact these 113 recommendations.
Included in the recommendations is creation and funding for a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls research centre, a provincial Indigenous human rights tribunal, a 24-hour Indigenous crisis line and support services, and expanding the women fleeing violence benefit to include families of MMIWG2S+.
“We want to see, especially when budget time comes, what type of investment (Alberta Government) are putting towards this particular report,” said Michelle Robinson, a representative of the Reconciliation Action Group. “The report talks about awareness training, anti-racism, program funding, and more. There is a lot to this report.”
The Action Group is concerned with these steps being taken, with Robinson saying that it is disconcerting when a lot of MLAs she has spoken with do not know about the pathways.
“It is our experience that when we talk to conservative MLAs, they generally aren’t even aware of the 113 Pathways to Justice,” said Robinson. “Ironically, when it was their government that created it.”
To combat the misinformation and spread awareness, the Action Group hopes to advocate for Indigenous rights towards reconciliation, asking for education for all, not just government employees.
“I hope every Albertan reads this report,” said Robinson. “I would want them to read the National Inquiry as well. Because people need to read the actual history of Canada.”
Hoping to see reconciliation continue and gain more traction with Smith’s leadership, the Action Group will look forward to seeing how these recommendations are implemented over time.
“Seeing where Danielle Smith goes as our new premier, and seeing what kind of work she does,” said Robinson. 2
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