WINNIPEG — Chiefs from across Canada say the families of missing and murdered aboriginal women must have a seat at an upcoming national roundtable on the issue.
The chiefs attending the national gathering of the Assembly of First Nations voted in favour of two resolutions on the issue aimed at including women and families in the debate.
Chief Cathy Merrick of Manitoba's Cross Lake First Nation says the voices of families who have lost loved ones have been drowned out in the discussion.
She says there are no resources to support mourning families or help them participate in the roundtable expected in February.
The chiefs unanimously passed Merrick's resolution calling for the inclusion of the relatives of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
They also passed a resolution calling on the federal government to formally announce its participation in the roundtable and provide resources for native women's councils to take part.
