APTN National News
The national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is postponing planned regional advisory meetings with families.
The announcement comes as commissioners wrapped up the first of the planned meetings in Whitehorse on Thursday.
The other regional advisory meetings were set to take place in Edmonton and Thunder Bay.
No new dates have been set.
A statement from the inquiry said the commissioners are following advice shared in Whitehorse, and from other meetings across the country.
“The process of seeking advice through regional advisories must be reformulated,” said Chief Commissioner Marion Buller in the statement. “There needs to be enough time to organize our regional advisories and truth finding gatherings in a way that honours and reflects the people of their territories and is inclusive, accessible and focused.”
“National Inquiry remains committed to listening, hearing and being responsive to what families, survivors and communities are sharing with us. We understand there needs to be more communication in advance about our process and the options available to those who want to participate. We need to be flexible.”
It’s not clear how the inquiry plans to refocus the advisory meetings and there is nothing on the inquiry’s website to explain the postponement.
Some families have been critical of the process so far and say they feel left in the dark.
