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MMIW Hearings start in Whitehorse this Week

Monday, 29 May 2017 08:10

Sacred Fire and Feast today, while hearings tomorrow.

Families and advocates in Whitehorse feel a mixture of hope and anxiety as the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women is set to hold its first community hearings starting tomorrow.

Diane Lilley of Carmacks, Yukon, waited nearly two decades for a suspect to be arrested in her sister's death and she says she wants answers from the inquiry about why the investigation took so long.

Lilley says she's excited that Whitehorse is the first stop for the inquiry but she worries that the hearings are being rushed and that the short notice will mean some families are left out.

But inquiry spokeswoman Bernee Bolton says health and legal teams have been meeting with families and survivors across the territory to offer different options for participation and ensure they have supports.

A sacred fire lighting, traditional feast and cultural program are set to take place tomorrow before dozens of participants share their stories at the hearings Tuesday through Thursday.

Yukon's minister responsible for the women's directorate, Jeanie Dendys, says 41 indigenous women have disappeared or been killed in the territory and every loss has a profound impact on the community.

(The Canadian Press)

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