Tribal leaders want missing women probe

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 30 (UPI) -- American Indian leaders in Manitoba called Friday for a national investigation into missing women from their community across Canada.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper said 80 Indian women have vanished or been found killed in Manitoba and 600 in Canada, the Winnipeg Sun reported.

A drifter with a long criminal record, Shawn Lamb, was charged this week with killing three women. Two of the victims, Lorna Blacksmith and Tanya Nepinak, were Indians who had moved from First Nations reservations into Winnipeg.

"We need some response stating this is how we're going to fight this battle," Harper said.

Niki Ashton, a member of Parliament from the New Democratic Party, said federal commissions have helped Indians in the past. She said women are now "at risk."