An independent researcher has uncovered more cases of missing or murdered Native women across Canada.

Maryanne Pearce used police records, government websites and court documents to look up missing or murdered women. Of more than 3,800 cases she examined, 871 represent Native women, according to her research.

That means Native women account for about 23 percent of the cases. Native people only account for about 3.8 percent of Canada's population.

"I found myself just horrified and wondering what has been done, what could be done, so I decided to look into it a little deeper," Pearce told CBC News.

Pearce's number is significantly higher than the nearly 600 cases cited by the Native Women's Association of Canada. The data has been used to call for a national inquiry into missing or murdered Native women.

Get the Story:
Majority of missing and murdered women in North are aboriginal (CCB 3/13)

An Opinion:
Don Marks: How can 824 women disappear without raising alarm? (Troy Media 3/14)

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Report examines access to justice for Native women in Canada (3/5)