THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of the Status of Women, and the Hon. Carolyn Bennett Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, will meet with family members on Wednesday, January 6 to seek input on the design of the inquiry. Orientation sessions for family members to learn more about the process will be held on Tuesday, January 5 2016.
The federal Liberal Government is moving quickly to get the national inquiry going.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum encourages NAN members to participate in the federal government’s pre-inquiry discussion meeting in Thunder Bay next week as part of the design process for a national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. “It is appropriate that the Government of Canada has started this process by engaging with the families of our lost women and girls and is providing an opportunity for their voices to be heard,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum. “These consultations may be difficult and painful but it is important for the government to hear directly from the families and friends who have lost their loved ones. We will do everything possible to support them so they can share their experiences and expectations of the inquiry process.”
Schedule of events:
January 5 – Orientation Sessions, Victoria Inn
Registration: 1-3 p.m.
Session I: 2-5 p.m.
Session II: 6-9p.m.
January 6 – Meeting with Ministers, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Victoria Inn
Family members, victims and loved ones of missing and murdered women and girls who would like to participate are asked to register by 5 p.m. (EST) on January 4, 2016. To register and receive assistance with travel, accommodations, translation and childcare please contact Lauren Peirce, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat, 613-404-5127 or Cleo Big Eagle, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-635-7332.
Invitation to a Meeting with Ministers to design an Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
January 5 and 6, 2016 – Thunder Bay, Ontario
Dear Survivors, Families and Loved Ones;
On December 8 2015, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Carolyn Bennett, the Minister of the Status of Women, Patty Hajdu, and the Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, announced the launch of a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
In the first phase of the pre-inquiry design process, we want to hear directly from you on how to design an Inquiry that will result in concrete recommendations to work towards ending violence against Indigenous women and girls.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2016, the Minister of the Status of Women, Patty Hajdu, and Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Carolyn Bennett, are holding a meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario with survivors, families and loved ones of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
This event will be held over two days on January 5 and 6, 2016. On January 5, 2016, survivors, families and loved ones will register with our staff and are then encouraged to attend either an afternoon or evening orientation session. During the orientation, participants will meet each other, share your stories and learn more about the process, agenda and what Ministers will be looking for from participants at the January 6, 2016 session. At the orientation session, we will discuss the kind of information needed from participants in order to inform an inquiry process which is inclusive, respectful and delivers concrete recommendations to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls.
January 5, 2016
Registration: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Orientation sessions:
Session I) 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
Session II) 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
January 6, 2016
Pre-inquiry design process discussion meeting: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you would like to come to these meetings please let my team know by 5 p.m. Eastern time on January 4, 2016 by calling or emailing either: Lauren Peirce 613-404-5127, LaurenCaroline.Peirce@aandc-aadnc.gc.caor Cleo Big Eagle 819-635-7332,Cleo.Bigeagle@aandc-aadnc.gc.ca at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Please let them know if you need help with travel, hotel rooms, translation or childcare.
We realize these meetings deal with topics that may cause trauma to participants due to their troubling subject matter. A toll-free crisis line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: 1-844-413-6649 for anyone who needs help or support.
