Day 3: Last day of MMIWG national inquiry hearings in Yellowknife - Action News
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Day 3: Last day of MMIWG national inquiry hearings in Yellowknife

Public hearings for the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls continued in Yellowknife on Thursday.

'I'm not vulnerable. I'm just not protected,' said Sandra Lockhart on Wednesday

Freda Cardinal remembers her sister Stella at MMIWG Yellowknife

7 years ago
Duration 0:46
Freda Cardinal testified on the last day of the MMIWG public hearings in Yellowknife.

Thursday wasthe third and final dayof the national inquiry hearings into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Yellowknife.

Families from across the N.W.T. will gatheredat theChateau Nova hotel in Yellowknife to testify.

The hearings began at 9 a.m. MT,and areopen to the public and theclosing ceremony was scheduled for 4 p.m. MT.

Ateam of victim services workers has been on site during the hearings to provide emotional support to those who need it.

Traditional drummers at the opening ceremony for the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Yellowknife Monday night. (Claudiane Samson/CBC)

On Wednesday, Jayda Andre testified about her sister Joni, who was stabbed to death by her husband in 2004.

"She was gone. I never got to see her take her last breath," said Andre to the commissioners and counselin front of a group of about 40 people.

"I never got to tell her how much I loved her."

Her testimony was followed by Gerri Sharpe, James Jenka and Sandra Faye Lockhart.

'Sorry for hurting you'

Sharpe and Lockhart both touched on their experience in advocacy in the North.

I want to apologize to every mother, every sister, every daughter, every woman. Sorry for hurting you.- James Jenka

It's not easy for people in isolated regions to leave their spouses, said Sharpe one big barrier is women need to get approval from health professionals for medical travel to escape violent domestic situations in small communities.

"I am not a survivor, I survived," said Lockhart. "I'm not vulnerable. I'm just not protected."

Sandra Lockhart testifies at MMIWG Yellowknife

7 years ago
Duration 0:41
"I'm not vulnerable. I'm just not protected," said Sandra Lockhart Wednesday.

In his testimony, Jenka acknowledged how his behaviour in the past has contributed to violence. He spoke of his past alcohol abuse, emotional and physical violence against his wife and the neglect of his children.

"I want to apologize to every mother, every sister, every daughter, every woman. Sorry for hurting you. Very sorry," said Jenka.

"From this very moment to the day I die, I'll do everything I can in my power as a pipe carrier as a helper to help our women heal, to boost them up again to where they belong."


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