Shields calls for better education and policing to help Indigenous women

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By Ian Croft
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
news@tabertimes.com

On the eve of Red Shirt Day, a day to commemorate and raise awareness of Indigenous women and girls who were murdered or have gone missing, the House of Commons discussed this ongoing problem. With members of the House previously talking about how employment can help Indigenous women get out of the situation, that could lead to them being murdered or going missing.

 MP for Bow River Martin Shields rose in the House to discuss how education also plays an important role in helping these Indigenous women.

“One of the things we talk about here is education,” said Shields. “We are doing a lot of work and a lot of discussion here. How could the learning in the public education sector in each province be coordinated so more people might learn about this within the public education sector, which is the responsibility of the provinces?”

Gary Vidal, MP for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River in Saskatchewan, responded to Shields stating.

“Education is absolutely fundamental to the success of many on their journey out of poverty, out of some of the social challenges that we find in a riding like mine in northern Saskatchewan. I would remind the member that my riding has the second-largest Indigenous population in the country. I have been working with people in northern Saskatchewan to make sure that they get access to a quality education. To upgrade that quality of education, we must work in conjunction with the federal department that is responsible for education on First Nations and with the provincial folks who are responsible for the education of the First Nations. We have to have a coordinated effort to educate young people, enhance their opportunity and give them that chance of success.”

Later on in the discussion, Shields rose in the House once again, this time discussing the importance of ensuring that police services are properly funded within Indigenous territory.

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