According to the CBC, Canada has been condemned by Amnesty International for "indifference and apathy" towards violence against aboriginal women.

The report places blame on police, social and economic marginalization, and a feeling among the perpetrators of violence that they will get away with it easily.

And you know what? Judging from some of the comments I've overheard both here and in other places, none of this surprises me. Many Canadians still hold a stereotypical view of aboriginal Canadians, and marginalize them within our society. It's extremely obvious around downtown Edmonton; a majority of the homeless here are aboriginal, and they are concentrated around the "bad part of town".

So what do we do about it? Enhancing social programs, increasing access to education for aboriginals, and better police consciousness about this issue are a start. Getting rid of the stereotypes and accepting aboriginals as "normal Canadians" is an even better solution.