HOPE LIVES IN INQUIRY

‘If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.” These words by the American coach John Wooden can be applied to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which makes a three-day stop in Saskatchewan this week.

The inquiry is, clearly, an imperfect process and Indigenous people around the country are legitimately criticizing its disorganization and lack of consultation with important partner groups.

On Tuesday, CBC Indigenous reported on a memo from a top MMIWG leader telling staff the “top priority was to protect the commissioners from ‘criticism or surprises.’ ” Understandably, this has drawn anger from the families and others who are intent on having the focus of the inquiry be about hearing the stories of the women.

Families who offered testimony have called for better aftercare for those dealing with the emotional fallout of speaking about painful events.

The cause, however, has proven to be bigger than these problems. Vice-chief Heather Bear of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations put it simply and well when speaking of the Saskatoon stop. “We are going to do the work. You are going to be heard.”

It is inspiring how often the word “hope” came up through a process focused on such painful, long-ignored stories. Senator Lillian Dyck points out that, at last, the issue is being recognized.

“For so many years, Canada did not believe we had a problem. The rest of the world did, but now Canada’s acknowledged it,” she said.

Admitting we have a problem is only the first step. The inquiry, issues and all, is another movement toward making Saskatchewan and Canada a safer place for Indigenous men and women of all ages.

It is appropriate timing that a probe into the death of 14-year-old Haven Dubois was announced this week. Dubois was found in a creek outside Regina two years ago. The police ruled the death accidental, but family members believe foul play was involved. Questions about such deaths must be heard and acted upon.

Mistakes may be inevitable, but learning from them is imperative. As the inquiry continues, the staff should focus on improving its organization and easing the experience for family members.

Striving for better responses to deaths and missing person cases is an important way to honour the spirit of the Saskatchewan women remembered this week.