Nova Scotia group hopes MMIW inquiry will take hard look at systemic racism
A 5-member panel will examine factors driving high rate of violence against Indigenous women and girls
The upcoming inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women should examine everything from the child welfare system to discrimination in the justice system, says a senior advisor with the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association.
Heidi Marshall says she's hopeful the inquiry will lead to Canada taking a hard look at the systemic issues that affect the lives on Indigenous people across the county.
"The hope that I see is the commissioners now — they are all Indigenous and one is a judge from B.C.," she said.
The long-awaited federal inquiry was announced Wednesday in Ottawa, and will be led by Marion Buller, B.C.'s first female First Nations judge. The commissioners are tasked to study the factors driving a high rate of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada, and the role of various institutions like police and government.
No criminal liability
Marshall said she is disappointed the panel will not be tasked with finding criminal liability.
"I think that someone needs to take responsibility. I think the federal government is taking some responsibility, but I think we need to look into police misconduct, which I know we're not going to do," she said.
Marshall believes it's important the government spoke to families of missing and murdered women across the country to hear from them how to craft an inquiry. More than 100 people met with two federal cabinet members when they visited Halifax in January.
"I think that's going to make a difference, the families setting the stage. They need to include the families."
Family liaison units
Along with the inquiry, Ottawa announced $16.17 million in funding over four years to create units in each province to assist the loved ones of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women.
The units will help connect families with information about their loved ones' cases from other agencies and services, such as police departments and social services.
The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association opened a Mi'kmaq resource centre, which has been so far operating with very little money. Marshall hopes some of the new funding could go towards the centre.
"I think something like that is is going to make a huge difference in the lives of First Nations women," she said.
'Families who require answers'
Premier Stephen McNeil says he's pleased the federal government is moving forward with the inquiry, saying it's something the provincial government has been pushing for.
"There are many families who require answers, and quite honestly, we need to have a hard look at ourselves to ensure that all of our daughters feel safe in their communities," he said.
The inquiry will being Sept. 1 and run until Dec. 31, 2018 and cost an estimated $53.8 million.
With files from Martime Noon and Sherri Borden Colley