Native Women's Association of Canada awarded for murdered and missing database
Thursday, December 4, 2014 | Categories: Features
Dr. Dawn Harvard, first vice-president of the Native Women's Association of Canada at the podium at the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression Gala (Photo: Andrew Williamson/CJFE)
1,181. That's the number of cases of Aboriginal women missing or murdered in Canada from 1980 to 2012. It's an alarming statistic that might not have seen the light of day had it not been for the Native Women's Association of Canada, which spent over five years researching police cold cases for their Sisters in Spirit murdered and missing database.
Last night, the group was honoured by the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) for their work, and were awarded the 2014 Vox Libera Award at a gala event in Toronto.
Accepting the award at the CJFE annual gala was Dawn Harvard, first vice-president of the Native Women's Association of Canada.
During Harvard's emotional speech, she fought back tears at one point when recalling how she couldn't promise her own young daughter safety in Canada from becoming another missing or murdered Aboriginal girl.
"I wanted to say [to her]... mommy will protect you -- but I realized it's not that simple," Harvard said.
"They're not missing. They're not like so many misplaced keys, or your wallet, or your sunglasses. These women and girls were stolen."
Take a listen to hear more from Harvard's moving speech.
The event was hosted by our own Carol Off. She is the chair of the awards steering committee for the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.
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