Hearings for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls begins this week in Saskatoon.
The inquiry will sit for three days and expects to hear from 40 witnesses.
The entire process will be guided by traditional ceremonies of the Treaty Six Territory.
A sacred fire at the Kiwanis Park North will be kept burning throughout the entire event.
This is one of eight hearings to be held across Canada between September and December.
Saskatoon Community Hearings Schedule (All times shown in CST)
8:30 am – Opening Remarks
9:15 am – Break
9:30 am – Community Hearings
11:30 am – Lunch
12:30 pm – Community Hearings
2:30 pm – Break
2:45 pm – Community Hearings
4:45 pm – Hearing Adjourned
8:30 am – Announcements
9:00 am – Community Hearings
11:00 am – Break
11:15 am – Community Hearings
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:30 pm – Community Hearings
3:00 pm – Break
3:15 pm – Community Hearings
4:45 pm – Hearing Adjourned
8:30 am – Announcements
9:00 am – Community Hearings
11:00 am – Break
11:15 am – Community Hearings
1:15 pm – Lunch
2:15 pm – Community Hearings
3:30 pm – Break
3:45 pm – Community Hearings
5:00 pm – Hearing Adjourned
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is starting their fifth set of hearings in Saskatchewan this week since they started in Whitehorse this past May.
APTN reporter Shirley McLean gives us a look ahead from Saskatoon.
The sixth round of hearings for the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls started this morning in Saskatoon.
The commission is dealing with internal problems and pressure to get these hearings right.
Meanwhile, families prepare to give three days of painful and emotional testimony.
The family of Monica Burns spoke eloquently about her.
Monica was murdered in January 2015.
Her killer was sentenced to thirteen years in prison.
Monica’s sister-in-law, Dionne Doucette told the inquiry that there are not enough resources to help women in tough situations.
In Saskatoon emotions are high and spirits are low as family members and survivors speak to The National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.
As Shirley Mclean reports, some of those people worry about what care will be given after they or their loved ones testify.
Chief Commissioner Marion Buller and Commissioner Michele Audette took questions from reporters today in Saskatoon.
After care for families and whether the commission still has enough staff to complete their mandate were among the issues raised.