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June
21, 2006
Symposium
Recommendations
PDF
File
Monday, June 5, 2006
Highway of Tears report kept under wraps
Citizen staff
The Highway of Tears
Symposium in March has finally resulted in a report and set of
recommendations, but the public cannot read them just yet.
"Due to the sensitive nature
of the various issues and parties involved, as well as the
continuing RCMP investigations, it is not yet available," said
Lheidli T'enneh Nation Councilor Rena Zatorski, the key organizer
of the two-day symposium. "The final report will be released for
public distribution June 21, 2006"
The symposium brought
together high-ranking government officials, top members of the RCMP,
community leaders and family members of virtually all the missing or
murdered women along the Prince Rupert-Prince George corridor. The
dialogue that ensued was often emotional, but was the first
opportunity for public expression many of the involved parties have
had in the 20-plus years that these victims have been adding
sinister mystery to the lore of Highway 16 West.
"This is a comprehensive
report detailing a proactive approach based on the recommendations
from (the symposium)," said Zatorski. "Be assured that work is
ongoing and progressing at the appropriate levels...and all parties
fully anticipate that there will be substantial progress made
regarding victim prevention, emergency planning, and counseling and
support initiatives for both communities and victims' families."
©Copyright
2006 Prince George Citizen
Symposium Broad
Recommendations
These were the broad recommendations being fleshed out on the second
day of the Symposium.
•Emergency readiness includes
an enhanced "amber alert" program which fast-tracks the alert to the
public when someone goes missing, and preparation of an inventory of
violent offenders being released into communities.
•Prevention programs will
involve both families and communities as advocates for policy
changes of regulations regarding missing persons, installing
well-lit emergency telephones along the highway, creation of a hitch
hiker tracking system that would work like a block watch program,
and development of youth awareness programs such as street smarts
and stranger danger.
•Community Development, to
address racism and oppression, identify "safe homes" along Highway
16, and placement of coordinators in Prince George and Terrace to
give expression to the action plans.
•Counseling and Support,
offering an aboriginal focus based on spirituality, advocates
working with the RCMP in victim services, and more.
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