APTN News
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls needs five months to “restructure,” if granted an extension and more federal funding, according to a Quebec women’s group.
At a press conference in Montreal on Monday, Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) president Viviane Michel made it clear – it’s time for the national inquiry to tighten up.
“We believe in this commission. We believe in the potential of the people who work in this commission, but it needs to be restructured,” she said.
The QNW wants the federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs to hear its concerns before making a decision on the inquiry’s request for a two-year extension and $50 million more in funding.
The QNW says that should the extension be granted, the inquiry should take those five months off from hearings to restructure.
Michel said the QNW’s concerns are that the inquiry is not sharing legal documents with family members or providing the long-term support families need after testifying.
“It’s very traumatizing to a family to relive this traumatic event,” she said. “It’s important for us … that these families are well surrounded with emotional and psychological aid.”
A spokesperson for the national inquiry would not comment until the inquiry has had a chance to review the QNW’s requests.
