So that voices will be heard

Families and survivors given the chance to connect

Terrellyn Fearn hopes people will feel empowered by taking part in the community meetings hosted by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The inquiry is in Nova Scotia this week and will be holding a community meeting in Millbrook today (Thursday).

“This is an opportunity to have families and survivors connect with us and learn about the process,” said Fearn, director of health for the inquiry. “They can register to take part in the inquiry and prepare for the hearing in Halifax.” That hearing will be held the week of Oct 30).

A team of health, legal and community-relations workers will be available to participants.

“Sharing a personal story of survival or a missing or murdered family member is hard,” said Fearn. “We need to build relationships and trust. I’ve worked about 20 years in violence prevention and the best way to build rapport is face to face. We need people to feel comfortable and safe.”

Participants can share their stories before a commissioner in a private hearing or have family members present, before a statement taker, or they can speak through artistic expression. More than 550 individuals from across the country have already registered.

“Our hope is that this will be empowering,” said Fearn. “Ensuring voices are heard is part of the healing process.

“Our ultimate mandate is to make communities safer. We hope to make everyone in Canada safer; those who walk on the earth now and in generations to come.”

People who are unable to attend a community meeting can register by calling 1-844-348-4119, faxing 604-775-5009, sending a letter to PO Box 500, Station A, Vancouver, BC V6C 2N3 or emailing profile@mmiwg-ffada.ca .

They can also get in touch with the community liaison person in Nova Scotia, Denise Pictou Maloney, at d.pictou-maloney@mmiwg-ffada.ca or 902-440-6901.