Help for MMIWG families now available in province

A new service designed to REGINA help families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls navigate the legal system and access community supports is finally operational in Saskatchewan after federal funding was announced in August 2016.

Each province and territory was expected to form family information liaison units (FILUs) after being provided with funding through Justice Canada.

Saskatchewan’s FILU is located within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and is designed to complement the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls by connecting families with organizations that can provide information about their loved ones.

According to a Ministry of Justice spokesperson, the services will be available to all families, not just participants of the national inquiry and the unit will also “act as a liaison with organizations to provide culturally appropriate support to the families.”

“These families are experiencing a deep loss and the assistance we can provide in navigating the legal system and multiple organizations who hold information will hopefully ease the stress of their situation,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said in a release.

Families will get help accessing elders, community-based support and agencies that provide “trauma informed professional support.”

The unit will also work closely with Indigenous and Metis organizations like the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corp., Regina Treaty Status Indian Services, tribal councils and other community organizations.

The FILU is at 902-1801 Hamilton St. in Regina. To reach the unit by phone, call the toll-free Family Access Line at 1-833-529-6486.