The president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council intends to discuss violence against aboriginal women at its next board meeting, in the wake of a Tetlit Gwich’in teen’s death in Whitehorse.

Brandy Vittrekwa, 17, was found dead on a trail in the McIntyre subdivision on Dec. 8.

Whitehorse RCMP have said they are investigating her death as a homicide, and have arrested one suspect, who has not been charged. He is still in custody on unrelated charges.

A funeral was held last Thursday in Vittrekwa’s home community of Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

“By all accounts, Brandy was a dear friend to many,” tribal council president James Wilson wrote in a Dec. 15 letter to the four presidents of other Gwich’in councils.

“I did not know Brandy, but as a father, it breaks my heart to think about what happened to her. As the leader of the Gwich’in, it pains me to think that another of our young, promising leaders will never get the chance to follow her dreams.”

Wilson could not be reached for comment this morning, as the council office has closed for the holidays.

In the letter, he asked the four leaders – Andrew Charlie of the Ehdiitat Gwich’in, Carolyn Lennie of the Gwichya Gwich’in and Wilbert Firth of the Tetlit Gwich’in – to attend the next board meeting prepared with steps to address the “national tragedy” of violence against aboriginal women.

“Though it sounds like a goal beyond our reach, I want us to consider concrete steps we can take to assure that never again will we learn of another young Gwich’in woman passing away on account of an act of senseless violence,” Wilson wrote.

“The Gwich’in were reminded last week that such violence continues to rear its ugly head from coast, to coast, to coast. It is time we put an end to this.”

To Vittrekwa’s family, he said the whole nation is standing by their side in support.

Growing up, Vittrekwa spent time in Inuvik and Old Crow, and moved to Whitehorse with her family in 2012.

She leaves behind her parents and an 11-year-old brother, as well as extended family in Fort McPherson.

Vittrekwa’s death strengthens the call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.

There are at least 1,181 such cases in Canada. In an interview with CBC News last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the issue “isn’t really high on our radar, to be honest.”

The comment sparked outrage on social media. Advocates have been pushing for an inquiry for years. Violence against aboriginal women is an issue that needs to be confronted head-on, they say.

Two recent violent attacks on First Nations teenagers in Manitoba have also garnered national attention.

Tina Fontaine, 15, was found dead in a bag in Winnipeg’s Red River last August. And in November, 16-year-old Rinelle Harper was found beaten and unconscious on the banks of the Assiniboine River. Two young men have been charged in connection with the brutal assault.

On Dec. 9, a day after Vittrekwa’s body was found, Rinelle called for an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women at the Assembly of First Nations gathering to elect a new chief.

“I ask that everyone here remembers a few simple words: love, kindness, respect and forgiveness,” Rinelle said.

“As a survivor, I respectfully challenge you all to call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.”