It’s been almost two months since the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls began its work and the national Inuit women’s group says it’s still waiting to hear from the organizers.
“What we’re frustrated about is we haven’t heard anything,” says Rebecca Kudloo, president of Pauktuutit.
“We don’t even have phone numbers to contact them. There’s no connection.”
Kudloo says her organization has not heard a word about the timeline or the work of the inquiry since August when the names of the commissioners were announced. The inquiry officially started its work on Sept. 1, and is expected to last more than two years.
“The time is ticking,” says Kudloo.
She says a great deal of preparation is needed in the North to ready affected families to participate meaningfully in the inquiry.
“People look to us to provide them information about the inquiry and we haven’t heard a thing.”
Rebecca Kudloo, president of Pauktuutit, says the group has not heard a word about the timeline or the work of the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women since August. (Sandy Tooma/CBC)
In September, Judge Marion Buller, the chief commissioner of the inquiry, promised that Inuit would not be sidelined.
CBC News contacted the chief commissioner as well as staff working on the commission for comment.
After two weeks, CBC received a response by email stating “The National Inquiry wishes to acknowledge Pauktuutit’s concerns and commits to remaining in regular contact with all NIO’s (national Inuit organizations).”
Government of Nunavut prepares for inquiry
Earlier this month Keith Peterson, Nunavut’s justice minister, issued an order under the Nunavut Public Inquiries Act, which gave the federally-appointed MMIW commission the authority to hold the inquiry in Nunavut.
Nunavut Justice Minister Keith Peterson wants the inquiry in Nunavut to pay close attention to the issue of domestic violence. (Sima Sahar Zerehi/CBC)
Peterson says he wants the inquiry in Nunavut to pay close attention to the issue of domestic violence.
“Our incidence of violence is 11 times the national average, so we feel they should look into institutional policies and practices implemented in response to violence experienced by Inuit women and girls in Nunavut.”
The territorial government has also formed a working group tasked with providing guidance on a made-in-Nunavut inquiry. The group includes the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and the RCMP.
To assist families who wish to take part in the inquiry or who want to share their stories, a toll-free help line has been established by Nunavut Victim Services: 1-866-456-5216.