Yukon families feel hope, anxiety ahead of first MMIW inquiry hearings

Diane Lilley waited nearly two decades for a suspect to be arrested in her sister’s murder, only to sit through a trial where she says her beloved sibling Tina Washpan was often referred to as simply ``the hooker.’’

The dismissive treatment of her sister in death mirrored the way she was treated in life, said Lilley. The siblings from Carmacks, Yukon, were separated in the `60s Scoop, when indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in non-indigenous homes.

Washpan, whose adopted name was Cindy Burk, became involved in the sex trade. Her body was found near the Alaska Highway in 1990 and in 2009, a British Columbia man was found guilty of second-degree murder in her death.

Today, Lilley still has questions.

“Why did it take 20 years for my sister’s killer to be found? What was the reason?’’ she asked. “There are a lot of family members who are missing their loved ones and they need answers.’’