Winnipeg MAN – The Commissioners of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is at the midpoint of its final public hearings and is taking the opportunity to provide further information on its important work and sacred responsibility.
The National Inquiry are pleased to host a Knowledge Keeper, Expert and Institutional Hearing in Winnipeg, Manitoba from October 1 to 5, 2018 to gather evidence on Family and Child Welfare – Family Supports and Domestic Violence, a topic that is identified as an issue to Indigenous families in Manitoba and throughout Turtle Island.
As announced on July 17, 2018 and August 21, 2018, the National Inquiry is conducting its final public evidence gathering hearings on four different themes: Colonial Violence, Criminal Justice System, Family and Child-Welfare, and Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking. These Knowledge Keeper, Expert and Institutional Hearings fall under Part II and Part III of our Truth Gathering Process. These hearings differ from the Community Hearings where families and survivors shared their truths.
Commissioners hear testimonies from Knowledge Keepers, experts, and institutional representatives to gain the most complete understanding of the critical issues surrounding violence against Indigenous women and girls including 2SLGBTQQIA. As part of the hearing process, the National Inquiry Legal Team and Parties with Standing have the opportunity to ask questions of the experts or cross-examine them for clarity.
The National Inquiry will hold its final public hearing in St. John’s, Newfoundland on Sexual Exploitation – Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence from October 15 to 18, 2018.
During the month of September, the National Inquiry gathered evidence with two Knowledge Keeper, Experts and Institutional Hearings, one on Colonial Violence – Socio-Economic, Health and Wellness Impacts in Iqaluit and another on the Criminal Justice System – Oversight and Accountability in Quebec City. The key themes of the hearings emerged from the personal stories shared with the National Inquiry by more than 1270 families and survivors, as well as other evidence collected in earlier phases of the National Inquiry’s work.
Family members and survivors of violence who registered with the National Inquiry before the closing of registration on April 20, 2018, will still have the opportunity to share their truths through statement gatherers. Respecting a trauma-informed approach, health and cultural supports services will be available.
Following these final hearings, Commissioners and staff will turn their attention to the review and analysis of all the evidence collected since the Truth Gathering Process was launched. The National Inquiry will conclude its research by December 31, 2018 and submit its final report by April 30, 2019.
For more information and find the hearings live-streamed, please visit our Website at www.mmiwg-ffada.ca
