OTTAWA – The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has confirmed that as of July, 15 2017, Marilyn Poitras resigned as Commissioner.
The Commission, in a written statement says: “It is important to reassure families, survivors, and families of the heart that Chief Commissioner Marion Buller, Commissioners Michele Audette, Qajaq Robinson, and Brian Eyolfson, as well as staff of the National Inquiry are deeply committed with moving forward in a good way.”
“We thank Marilyn Poitras for her contributions up until this point. However, we want to reassure the public that now, more than ever, we remain focused on this tremendously importantwork,” said Chief Commissioner Buller.
“This is a challenging mission and we owe it to you, families, survivors and families of the heart to meet every challenge head on and to persevere for the spirits of those who have been lost and stolen. Together, the Commissioners and staff of the National Inquiry will get through this and we thank you for your on going support and advice.We are listening.”
The Commissioners and staff of the National Inquiry say they are are ready to forge ahead with the summer community visits in preparation for Fall community hearings. “We want to remind you, like other inquiries of the past, this one too is always changing. It is the nature of this work, and we continue to keep our lost and stolen loved ones at the forefront of all that we do,” adds Buller. “We acknowledge that this is difficult work with imposing deadlines. We also share the fact this work is intense, given the gravity of what the National Inquiry must do. We have heard the same guidance again and again. The Commissioners and staff understand it has taken 40 years to get the National Inquiry. It is your strong efforts and advocacy that we want to honour as we carry out this historic task known as the Truth Gathering Process”.
