MMIW planning sessions move to Whitehorse today

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett is in Whitehorse today to hold the latestin a series of preliminary meetings about the federal government's upcoming inquiry into missing and murdered indigenouswomen.

Krista Reid, the president of the Whitehorse Aboriginal Women's Circle, said the inquiry is a long time coming.

"Every community in the Yukon has been affected by this. Every community has lost someone to violence, or [someone who] has gone missing," said Reid.

"We're encouraging anyone who feels that they want to participate, to indeed do so."

During today's meeting, Bennett and two other federal ministers will hear from the family of missing and murdered women about how the inquiry should be structured.

"This is what we've asked for, this is what we want, and the families are extremely excited," said Reid of the meeting.

The ministers' next stops are Vancouver and Prince George, B.C. Theyintend to visit every province and territory before the inquiry begins in the summer.