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Manitoba chiefs get $100K to fight human trafficking
by Scott Gilbreath ~ April 29th, 2009
The federal government is giving the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs $100,000 to educate and raise awareness about human trafficking. According to the Winnipeg Free Press report, this is the first money Ottawa has ever spent on the problem.
It is the first time Ottawa has spent anything to combat human trafficking, a growing problem in Canada that many believe is behind the significant number of missing aboriginal women in this country.
Since 2000, 49 aboriginal women have disappeared without a trace, according to a research project by the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Most of them are under the age of 30. In Manitoba, 69 aboriginal women have gone missing or have been murdered since 1980, according to the report.
A 2007 article on domestic trafficking in Canada found evidence young aboriginal girls were being recruited or sold into the sex trade by family members, gangs or even other young girls, who were themselves the victims of trafficking. The high prevalence of poverty, violence, substance abuse and family breakdown in aboriginal families make many young aboriginal girls most vulnerable.
AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans says that, until recently, he was unaware that aboriginals are particularly victimised by the modern-day slave trade.
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