Melanie Morrison of Kahnawake has received the prestigious Ambassador of Conscience prize from Amnesty International for her involvement in the cause of missing or murdered aboriginal women. Her name is thus added to those of Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai on whom such an honour was previously bestowed.
Melanie Morrison has been fighting for the rights of missing and murdered aboriginal women since her family was directly affected by such a tragedy. Her sister, Tiffany Morrison, aged 24 at the time, was reported missing on June 18, 2006. Her body was found not far from the Mercier Bridge in Kahnawake four years later.
On May 27, Amnesty International rewarded several members of the movement of the defence of the rights of aboriginal people in Canada. « Melanie Morrison worked at various stages having led to the formation of a National Investigation Commission on missing or murdered aboriginal women and she is part of the consultative Circle of Families for this Commission, » explains Amnesty International communications chief Anne Sainte-Marie.
Melanie Morrison was very touched to learn that she was among the laureates. « I was shocked, » she says. « It was a big surprise. When I was told who had already won this prize, I was sure they would tell me it was a practical joke. »
Better police cooperation demanded
Melanie received this honour at the time when the hearings of the National Investigation on indigenous women and girls began. She already testified there because she is a member of the consultative Circle of Families of the Investigation Commission.
Even though this investigation will not bring back her sister, Melanie is hoping that it will bring changes to the police treatment of dossiers of missing and murdered indigenous women. « Communication between the police corps in our communities and those from outside must improve. Police forces from outside have a lot of reticence to take charge of aboriginal cases, » she deplores. Morrison is convinced that better collaboration between police services would have been able to make a difference in her sister’s case. Up to now, no one has been arrested for the crime committed to Tiffany. Her dossier is still in the hands of the Surete du Quebec. « The case is still active, » Melanie indicates. « This means that there is still information coming in. »
Violence in regard to aboriginal women
1017: In 2013, RCMP files showed 1,017 homicides of aboriginal women committed between 1980 and 2012.
164: In 2013, 164 aboriginal women were still missing.
The story of Tiffany Morrison
On June 18, 2006, Tiffany Morrison, 24, spent the night at a bar in LaSalle. She left the place with a man in a taxi and was never seen alive again. She was reported missing for close to four years. Her remains were found on May 31, 2010. Nobody has been arrested in this affair.
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of her disappearance, on Sunday, June 18, a commemorative walk and a vigil are being planned. The event will be held at 1 p.m. near the Mercier Bridge at the spot where the family erected a memorial in her honour.
(Translation Dan Rosenburg)
