Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls

When Karen Kejick registered to participate in the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, she heard back from a lawyer, but no one offering support for her well-being.

The federal government's inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls has been given a series of failing grades by a national Indigenous women's group, even before the inquiry has heard from the families of the victims. The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), in its second report card on the inquiry, has singled out a number of areas where the commission holding the inquiry has let people down through poor communications, planning and outreach.

OTTAWA -- More than 30 advocates, indigenous leaders and family members issued an open letter Monday to the chief commissioner of the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, suggesting the process is in "serious trouble."

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says she shares the concerns of those family members who are growing ever more anxious about the long-delayed public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. "The objective of striking the commission was two things -- to stop the tragedy, but also the healing of the families," Bennett said Tuesday outside the House of Commons. "When the families have concerns, I have concerns."

Families, activists and organizations sent an open letter yesterday to the Chief Commissioner Marion Buller of the National Inquiry on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The alliance is raising a myriad of concerns saying the Inquiry is "in serious trouble."

The inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women has received failing grades all around in the latest report card by the Native Women's Association of Canada.

A letter sent to the chief commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is calling for sweeping changes to how the inquiry is being handled. The letter is signed by dozens of people and organizations including family members, Indigenous community groups, advocates and scholars. The inquiry has come under fire for poor communication, hearing delays and a lack of awareness around families being re-traumatized.

Native Women's Association of Canada says they are concerned about the lack of communication with families

2nd senior communications adviser to leave inquiry commission

Kostiuk is one of a small group of people camping out in the park in support of families involved in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and to try to speed up the process. "It's awful," she said. "They're hurting so bad. To see them on [MMIW series] Taken and on other shows and documentaries, to see my friends crying because they want answers and they're waiting and waiting - we need this now. This is why I'm doing this."

A bronze woman dancing on a blue cloud with silver eagle wings is now looking down on those who walk by Saskatoon police headquarters.

Maggy Gisle stands for a photograph in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C. on Tuesday. Gisle is among a number of indigenous women increasingly frustrated about the lack of a clear timeline to share their stories with the much-anticipated national public inquiry. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/CP)

Some families of missing and murdered indigenous women remain uncertain if they should take part in a national inquiry aimed at examining the violence in their communities, according to a group representing them.

It's the third annual walk held by the Prairie Region Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Maggy Gisle counts herself among the growing ranks of aboriginal Canadians, advocates and family members who are growing frustrated and despondent about a lack of a clear timeline as to when they're going to be able to share their testimony.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Women and Girls has a new approach and a new timeline, but it remains unclear how and when Inuit families and organizations will take part.

Ten months after it was established, the inquiry will finally hear from its first witnesses. Then it plans to suspend hearings until the fall. That's not acceptable.

An NDP MLA brought forth Bill 221, which would see Oct. 4 become an official day to honour MMIWG in the province.