Missing Indigenous woman found dead; B.C. homicide case prompts calls for justice
The death of an Indigenous woman in British Columbia prompted calls for "immediate action" outlined in the report that summarized the National Inquiry into Missing and Indigenous Women and Girls.
The body of Carmelita Abraham was found in Quesnel, B.C., earlier this month, according to a news release issued by a First Nations council.
The Tŝilhqot’in Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan (Women's Council) said Monday that the 33-year-old was found dead at the Willow Inn on Jan. 14. Abraham was a member of the Takla First Nation, and had been missing since late December.
Her body was found the same day that a 51-year-old man was charged in what was initially described as a "suspected" homicide.
The accused, Joseph Simpson, and Abraham knew each other, according to the RCMP. Simpson has been charged with murder and indignity to human remains.
The Tŝilhqot’in Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan says Abraham's case "reveals that not enough has been done" to implement 231 calls for justice outlined in the final report from the inquiry.
These calls are described in the report as "steps to end and redress" the systems that have "worked to maintain colonial violence for generations."
Directed at all levels of government, the list of actions includes the implementation of a national action plan with devoted funding, measures to prevent and investigate violence against Indigenous women and girls, and protocols that ensure all MMIWG cases are thoroughly investigated.
It also calls for the review and reform laws about sexual violence and intimate partner violence, and to consider violence against Indigenous individuals as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
There are dozens more recommendations, all of which can be read online.
The women's council did not specify which of 231 calls it applied to this case, but said government inaction "continues to deny justice" and cost lives.
In the statement about Abraham's death, a member of the council said there's a need for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to fight for that action.
"Carmelita had goals and dreams that are left unrealized. She was a powerful woman, a woman of strength," Joyce Cooper wrote.
"There are many like Carmelita in Williams Lake. We need to stop talking about what needs to happen and make it happen… We need change now."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.