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Press Release

Indigenous women Are Beyond Frustrated Over Systemic Racism in Canada’s Correctional System, as Highlighted (again) By Auditor General

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2022

Ottawa – A statement by Lynne Groulx, CEO of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), on the release of a report of the Auditor General of Canada which finds that Indigenous and Black offenders remain in custody longer than other prisoners:

“It is with extreme dismay – though little surprise – that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women greeted the news from the Auditor General today that Indigenous and Black offenders remain in custody longer, and at higher levels of security, than other members of the prison population. It is more than frustrating to know that similar observations were made six years ago, and that nothing has changed in the interim. Canada cannot claim to be on a path of reconciliation with Indigenous people when its strategy for dealing with us is keeping us behind bars. The overt and covert racism within the Canadian correctional system can no longer be ignored.”

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For information, contact Gloria Galloway at gloria@gloriagalloway.com or 613-447-6648

Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Roselie LeBlanc at roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca or 604-928-3233.

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Roselie LeBlanc, par courriel : roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca ou par téléphone: 604-928-3233


About The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.