‘Canada has to change,’ reaction to MMIW inquiry

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A family member of several indigenous BC women who vanished, were killed or have been injured says she’s not sure if she’s ready to embrace a national examination of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Lorelei Williams, whose cousin’s DNA was found on serial killer Robert Pickton’s farm, made the comment today at a news conference in Vancouver. “The families need clear answers. This needs to be treated respectfully and carefully. This national inquiry needs to be done right. We need accountability. There’s no room for mistakes. Our indigenous women and girls lives depend on it.”

Mary Teegee, with the Carrier Sekani Family Services, says inaction over the decades around missing women, especially aboriginal women, is a mark of racism and hasn’t been acknowledged until recently.

She adds the inquiry must ensure families are given resources to participate fully and that recommendations must be followed up in a timely manner.

This morning the federal government announced the terms of a long-awaited inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women, unveiling that it will take about will cost $53.8 million and will last at least two years.

Five commissioners, including BC’s first female First Nations judge Marion Buller, will be responsible for carrying out the investigation.

Under the Inquiries Act, the commissioners will have the same powers as any court in a civil case to enforce the attendance of witnesses and compel them to give evidence. They may also examine all papers, documents, vouchers, records and books belonging a public office or institution.

Keira Smith-Tague is a family member of a victim and one of the members of the coalition. She says the inquiry needs to look at police practices.

“Saying that the police are involved or cooperating is not enough and this not the time to be vague. We need explicit inclusion and a process that will hold police accountable for their failures to protect indigenous women and girls.”