Invitation to a Meeting with Ministers to design an Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Invitation to a Meeting with Ministers to design an Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
January 5 and 6, 2016 - Thunder Bay, Ontario
Dear Survivors, Families and Loved Ones;
On December 8 2015, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Carolyn Bennett, the Minister of the Status of Women, Patty Hajdu, and the Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, announced the launch of a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
In the first phase of the pre-inquiry design process, we want to hear directly from you on how to design an Inquiry that will result in concrete recommendations to work towards ending violence against Indigenous women and girls.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2016, the Minister of the Status of Women, Patty Hajdu, and Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Carolyn Bennett, are holding a meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario with survivors, families and loved ones of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
This event will be held over two days on January 5 and 6, 2016. On January 5, 2016, survivors, families and loved ones will register with our staff and are then encouraged to attend either an afternoon or evening orientation session. During the orientation, participants will meet each other, share your stories and learn more about the process, agenda and what Ministers will be looking for from participants at the January 6, 2016 session. At the orientation session, we will discuss the kind of information needed from participants in order to inform an inquiry process which is inclusive, respectful and delivers concrete recommendations to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls.
January 5, 2016
Registration: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Orientation sessions:
Session I) 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
Session II) 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
January 6, 2016
Pre-inquiry design process discussion meeting: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you would like to come to these meetings please let my team know by 5 p.m. Eastern time on January 4, 2016 by calling or emailing either: Lauren Peirce 613-404-5127, or Cleo Big Eagle 819-635-7332, at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Please let them know if you need help with travel, hotel rooms, translation or childcare.
We realize these meetings deal with topics that may cause trauma to participants due to their troubling subject matter. A toll-free crisis line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: 1-844-413-6649 for anyone who needs help or support.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you may use our website after January 4, 2016 to make a submission on-line, by phone, or regular mail. Thank you