Matilda Fowler and Glen Wilson, the mother and father of 16-year-old CJ Fowler, joined Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and other aboriginal leaders in Vancouver on Wednesday to renew the demand for the government to look into such tragedies.
The girl鈥檚 parents sobbed during a news conference as they spoke about losing their daughter.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to find who did this. I want justice for my daughter and I don鈥檛 want any more young girls going missing or murdered. Nobody deserves to lose a daughter,鈥� Matilda Fowler said.
Atleo said the girl鈥檚 death has triggered an overwhelmingly painful reminder of similar tragedies in other First Nations communities across sa国际传媒.
鈥淔irst Nations have committed to ending violence against and among our peoples. We have called for a national public commission of inquiry on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and we will not rest until this is achieved,鈥� Atleo said in a statement.
Fowler told reporters the family is comforted by the support from their leaders in 鈥渃ontinuing to take this message forward and to advocate on behalf of us and other families impacted by such tragedies.鈥�
First Nations Summit Chief Ed John said the death of CJ is a terrible tragedy and another horrific example of violence against aboriginal women.
Union of sa国际传媒 Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said the growing issue of murdered and missing First Nations women across sa国际传媒 is nothing short of a national disgrace.
The call for an independent inquiry has been made over the last several years.
First Nations leaders say they want the inquiry to include a review of police policies and procedures in regard to searches, investigations and communications between police, officials and families.
Aboriginal groups estimate as many as 600 aboriginal women have disappeared or been killed over the last two decades in sa国际传媒.
