The Cody Legebokoff trial was not related to the ongoing struggle of missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.
That was the message that concluded the murder trial Tuesday, from Justice glen Parrett, who says despite his serial killings targeting two aboriginal women, the case isn’t a First Nations issue, but a sociological one.
While Chief Terry Teegee of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council agrees, he feels violence against women, the sex trade, and mental health issues are all connected to First Nations issues.
“It’s a bigger issue in terms of the sociological issues of western society  and why so many women are vulnerable,” he says.
Listening to Justice Parrett’s words, Teegee echoes his sentiments that good police work was the sole reason Legebokoff was brought to justice, and cuts to the RCMP’s E-PANA division investigating the Highway of Tears cases is killing its progress.
“Until we know the systemic issues that our women are faced with, perhaps we could do something,” Teegee says. “I do agree that this is a bigger issue, in terms of the sociological issues of western society and why so many women are vulnerable.”
During the trial last week, the court house saw rallies calling on the government to take action on stopping the high number of murders of aboriginal women and girls.
The Federal Government recently announced $25 million towards initiatives to stop violence against aboriginal women and girls.
