Expectations high for MMIWG inquiry

Talks are underway to discuss the province’s role in the national inquiry on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and stakeholders already agree the voice of those lost must be heard.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corporation’s (SAWCC) annual two-day conference kicked off in Regina.

Vivian Keshane, acting president for SAWCC, has been involved in the organization for the past eight years and says it’s amazing to be planning for an inquiry instead of pushing for one.

“We weren’t even heard before, but now they are finally hearing our voices,” she said. “It’s such a big sigh of relief to be recognized.”

Keshane has high hopes the inquiry will be a catalyst for positive change in indigenous communities.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Fourth ViceChief Heather Bear said having stakeholders come together to start the planning phase of the inquiry is an important first step.

As a representative of the FSIN Women’s Commission, she said her role is to support ongoing efforts to eliminate and eradicate violence against women.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” she said about the inquiry. “We are pleased the federal government has stood by its commitment, but we have yet to see how the provinces will work with the inquiry. We are looking at a more comprehensive inquiry that will require an order in council and we are urging the province to insure all their institutions are opened up.”

Bear hopes when the commission makes its way though Saskatchewan, it will hear the voice of the missing and murdered.

“They now speak through their families and their loved ones. We must listen to them,” she said.

Provincial Minister of Justice and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said Saskatchewan needs to provide its input to make sure the inquiry is truly a national one and not just one run by the federal government.