Lheidli T'enneh - Highway of Tears: An Urgent Call for a Community Symposium

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2006

It is clear that the recent murder of 14 year-old Aielah Saaric-Auger has not only stunned Aboriginal communities and the city of Prince George, but it has also brought to the forefront the critical issues of race, poverty, women's rights, the isolation of our youth and our justice system.

Many in the Aboriginal communities are questioning the manner in which the RCMP are dealing with the disappearances and murders on Highway 16, the "Highway of Tears". Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal and various organizations can cast blame on one another. But doing so does not change one fact; another young girl has been stolen from her family, her friends and her community.

Professional criminal profilers have recently stated publicly that many of the murders that have occurred along the "Highway of Tears" seem to be the work of a serial killer.

The Lheidli T'enneh Nation is acting today and will commit to work with ANY organization that is determined to put an end to these horrific murders.

Moreover, the Lheidli T'enneh Nation are very aware that many of our Aboriginal youth lead dangerous life styles, it is up to us and all Aboriginal communities to close the gap between our broken youth and our communities. We need to be collectively aware of exactly where our youth are and what they are doing. We need to ensure that our youth feel treasured by their families, their friends and to their community.

As Aboriginal people we may be able to pressure "the system" into dealing with these crimes in a speedy and professional manner. But as Aboriginal people the only thing we can directly impact is the way in which we deal with our youth and each other.

The Lheidli T'enneh Nation today calls upon all Aboriginal organizations to take direct action. It is time Aboriginal organizations work together and create a symposium in which ALL Nations upon the "Highway of Tears", and ALL people who are most vulnerable to such a crime, come together and strategize a solution.

Let us put an end to these disappearances and murders by empowering our youth, by being involved in their lives, and by treasuring who they are.

With the best interests of our children, our grandchildren and for those unborn, the Lheidli T'enneh pledges $1,500.00 towards the planning of such a symposium. We urgently call upon First Nations, organizations and individuals to do the same.

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For more information please contact Councillor Rena Zatorski at (250) 963-8451.

Mailing Address:
1041 Whenun Road
Prince George, BC V2K 5G5
Fax: (250) 963-6954

The UBCIC is a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations