Families, activists demand extension to ‘disorganized, haphazard’ missing and murdered inquiry:
A number of prominent Indigenous leaders and grassroots activists are demanding a fundamental rethink of the entire inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, as concerns about delays, bad communication, and poor organization begin to boil over.
In a letter sent to the inquiry’s chief commissioner, former B.C. judge Marion Buller, the signatories warn that, in their eyes, the inquiry is in such a sorry state that it must secure an extension to its original timeline.
“We are deeply concerned with the continued lack of communication that is causing anxiety, frustration and confusion, and with disappointment in this long-awaited process,” the letter says. “We request that you, as leader of this inquiry, substantially rework your approach in order to regain trust and ensure that families are no longer feeling retraumatized in this process.”
The first interim report of the landmark inquiry is due Nov. 1, 2017, giving commissioners only a few months to meet with families and other interveners who want to provide testimony. The inquiry announced last week that it would suspend planned family meetings until the fall — citing demands from family members who will be out on the land this summer hunting — and will now hear from experts on violence against women instead. The final report is expected by the end of 2018.