Liberals call national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women

By Jordan Merkley

BELLEVILLE – A member of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory is pleased with the federal government’s decision to launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

The government of Canada made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the first step will be engaging survivors, family members and loved ones of victims. There will also be consultations with national, provincial and territorial aboriginal representatives to seek their views on the design and scope of the inquiry. The government said it believes an inquiry can only be designed after hearing from those directly affected.

Tyendinaga resident Sam Maracle said she agrees that talking to the people is where it starts:

She also said she is ecstatic that the inquiry is happening, and that it’s been a long time coming:

National Chief Perry Bellegarde “has said that Canada has to start closing the gap, and he’s absolutely right,” said Maracle. “The average Canadian has to start becoming knowledgeable about what went on, and what is still going on with aboriginal people.”

She is glad Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was voted in, she said, because he sees that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. An inquiry could help with the healing process, Maracle added.

“It will help the families to come to some sort of ability to heal, and I think that’s the big thing. The healing process has to start.”

A discussion guide has been developed by the government and will soon be available online. It will highlight important elements and key questions about the inquiry, including questions about who should conduct it, the length of the inquiry, who should be heard and what issues should be considered. An online survey will be launched soon so that Canadians can submit their answers.

“We recognize that a number of factors, like racism, marginalization, sexism and poverty have contributed to the ongoing tragedy of murdered and missing indigenous women and girls,” Patty Hajdu, the minister of status of women, said in a prepared statement. “This inquiry is necessary to address and prevent future violence against indigenous women and girls. These women are not statistics – they are daughters, sisters and mothers – and they have the right to live safely and free of violence.”