Local aboriginal leaders lament delays

Indigenous stakeholders say process has been hindered by poor communication

Activists said Thursday they’re frustrated the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls hasn’t released more information following confirmation earlier in the week of the cancellation of meetings in Edmonton.

“To have all this delay is so disappointing and frustrating,” said Muriel Stanley Venne, president and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women on Thursday.

“All of us have been so anxious to get things done and resolve these things so we can get to the root causes of what’s happening.”

The inquiry, which has been criticized for poor communication, in April postponed regional advisory meetings in Edmonton, originally scheduled for May. No new meeting dates were provided.

Inquiry spokeswoman Bernee Bolton confirmed Tuesday that the meetings in Edmonton have been cancelled.

“Families and groups told us that the previously scheduled regional advisory meetings were similar to the pre-inquiry process carried out by the federal government last year and that further consultations were unnecessary,” Bolton said in a statement, adding that inquiry officials agreed after reviewing the recommendations that came out of that process. “Therefore all regional advisory meetings were cancelled, including the one in Edmonton.”

The Commission of Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is tasked with providing recommendations that will remove systemic causes of violence, increase the safety of indigenous women and girls, and commemorate victims. An interim report is slated to be presented to the federal government Nov. 1.

The regional advisory sessions — held from January to April — aimed to give families and groups a chance to provide input on regional matters including the legal process, Bolton said.

April Eve Wiberg, founder of the Stolen Sisters Awareness Movement, said there has been a general lack of communication with stakeholders, with the inquiry posting updates to its website as a primary method of public communication.

“Some people don’t have access to Internet, either,” Wiberg said Thursday.

“We’re now going into July and we haven’t heard any tentative dates,” she said, adding that for some families, the inquiry presents the first opportunity to speak publicly about a family member. “We need to plan for this, it’s very traumatic.”

Bolton said community visits will be scheduled in advance of any hearings, similar to how the first public hearing unfolded in Whitehorse on May 29.

“This approach will ensure everything is in place so that families and survivors of violence can share their stories in a safe, no-further-trauma environment that is respectful of all involved,” she said.

Visits include finding a venue, speaking with elders about ceremony protocol, setting up health

All of us have been so anxious to get things done and resolve these things so we can get to the root causes of what’s happening.

supports and helping to prepare people who want to speak.

“Analysis is currently underway for locations and proposed dates,” Bolton said.

“This inquiry has a standard that has been created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and it’s got to do better,” Stanley Venne said.

“We still don’t really know when they are coming to Edmonton to do the hearing, but we’re asking they give plenty of notice,” Wiberg said.

“We’re all working towards the same goal.”