For many Métis women, the circumstances leading to their involvement in the justice system is the result of a complex set of collective and individual life circumstances, marked by systemic discrimination, violence, and poverty.
Métis women are often not recognized as Indigenous by many service providers, and this lack of identity data collection has impacted the way that service providers, municipal and provincial police and the RCMP understand the circumstances of Métis women and girls, and has led to their discriminatory practices and treatment of them. Métis women also often do not have access to culturally safe supports when accessing pan-Indigenous programs which can be additionally traumatizing.
Education, partnerships and culturally relevant supports at all intersecting points of the justice system are needed.
LFMO calls for disaggregated data and Métis-specific research on those who are involved in both the justice systems and community safety, as well as community stakeholders to co-create solutions to reduce the systemic barriers that Métis women and girls face.
