MMIWG inquiry working to repair communication with families, says Sask. staffer

A Saskatchewan staffer for the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls says work is underway to repair a breakdown of communication after mounting criticism of the process so far.

Jorgina Sunn, the special advisor to Saskatchewan-based commissioner Marilyn Poitras, said the team is working "what feels like 24-7" to serve the families of missing and murdered women and girls.

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"The lack of communication and the breakdown of communication is something that all of the staff of the national inquiry are striving to repair," said Sunn.

Families frustrated

Last week, the mother of missing Saskatchewan woman Danita Faith Bigeagle expressed her frustrations about delays, saying the process was moving too slowly.

Diane Bigeagle, along with many Indigenous families and organizations across the country, signed an open letter stating that the inquiry "is in serious trouble" and needs to "fundamentally shift its approach."

Chief commissioner Marion Buller said on Friday the issues were not the result of leadership or staffing deficiencies but rather a failure to communicate the inquiry's accomplishments.

Inquiry working on strategy for Sask. hearings

Sunn said on Saturday that efforts were being made to improve transparency, include the community and draw upon information from experts.

She said the inquiry was currently working on its strategy for where to hold its hearings in Saskatchewan.

"There will be hearings in Saskatchewan, and hearings across the Prairie region as well as all areas around Canada, and so, you know, the hours are going into researching the best places to have it," said Sunn.

"And also, the process of what it looks like for people to invite the commission to have hearings in their communities."

Efforts to be more inclusive offline

She said efforts would be made to ensure individuals who are not frequent internet users received information about how to participate in the inquiry.

That might involve visiting communities in person or co-ordinating with First Nations leaders, Sunn added.

"This is a long process," said Sunn.

"The women and the people that are staffed by the national inquiry are working what feels like 24-7 and making sure that we are all aware of what we're all doing and keeping in mind that we are, in fact, serving the families."

She said anyone who wanted to participate in the inquiry could also do so by visiting its website.