First Nations chiefs urge holdout provinces, Ottawa to stop 'dragging feet' on MMIW inquiry

First Nations chiefs expressed growing frustrationwith adelay in the federal government'slaunch ofa national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, calling on both the provinces and Ottawa to stop dragging their feet, duringa third and final day of an annual general assembly meetingin Niagara Falls, Ont.

The delay comes as two provinces, including Manitoba, continue to negotiate with the federal government over the terms of reference that would helpdetermine the focus andscopeof a national inquiry. It's unclear which other province is still negotiating.

"I know they're waiting on a couple of provinces to get on board and move forward. Today, I publicly call onthose provinces to join our national inquiry,"said Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedsonon Thursday.

• 'No foul play' found in deaths of dozens of Indigenous women, but questions remain
• INTERACTIVE|Unresolved: Case closed or murder? Search our database

Gottfriedsonsaid while theTrudeaugovernment was quick to "spring into action" with the pre-inquiry phase as several ministers consulted with the families of the victims, the launch of the inquiry itself is now dragging on,Gottfriedsonsaid.

"It's been frustrating, butit's also been challenging and at times I feel that there is hope beyond the rainbow."

Manitoba seeks seat at the table

In an interview with CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Manitoba Justice MinisterHeather Stefanson said she's concerned there hasn't been enough consultation.

"I would like to see that there's consultation with respect to the terms of reference we're in the process of doing that provincially here right now, talking with senior officials within the Indigenous community,"Stefanson told host Rosemary Barton on Thursday.

'We offer such a unique perspective as a province' on MMIW inquiry

8 years ago

Duration 1:50

Manitoba's justice minister on why the province wants a commissioner from Manitoba involved in the national inquiry.

Stefanson also said her province, which counts one of the largest Indigenous population in the country, wants the federal government to appoint a commissioner from Manitoba.

"A commissioner at the table would be very, very positive for Manitoba."

Stefanson said her province is not delaying the launch of a national inquiry, pointing to other provinces, including British Columbia, which have also raised concerns about "overlap and duplication."

National inquiry not a panacea

But the two provinces are not alone in their concerns over the terms of a national inquiry and what outcome it may produce.

"The discussion around the terms of reference troubles me," said Grand Chief Doug Kelly, the leader of the Sto:lo Tribal Council in British Columbia.

At a special assembly of chiefs in December, Kelly asked RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson some very pointed questions about racism inside the force.

Today, Kelly cautioned First Nations not to look at the national inquiry as a panacea.

Chief says government dragging feet on MMIWG inquiry

8 years ago

Duration 1:36

Deputy Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Denise Stonefish says that the federal government is not living up to it's promise to hold an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women and girls.

"Let's not look for minister [Carolyn] Bennett, minister [Jody] Wilson-Raybould, commissioner Paulson to somehow produce a magic wand that somehow, at the end of this inquiry, our world will change," he said on Thursday.

"Thebest that we can hope is that they willbegin to hold their systems accountable, so that whenwe encounter racist RCMPofficers they are dealt with as Paulson promised."

Deputy Grand Chief Denise Stonefishsaid the delay hasprompteda number of Indigenous groups to write to federal officials urging them to get on with it.

"I guess because of the lack of announcement by the federal government, a number of the national organizations had submitted correspondence to the government indicating,wanting to know why the government is dragging their feet on this, and that this should be one of the top priorities."

Stonefishwas scheduled Thursday morning to givechiefs and delegates gatheredat theassembly an update on the much-anticipated launch of a national inquiry, but instead told the assembly the government had not given her a briefing.

"I'm here to say that never happened," she said.

"Minister Bennett even came to meet with the [AFN] women's council on Monday and, even at that particular time, she still did not provide any clear, definitive process for the inquiry."

Inquiry date unknown, but 'very close'

In an interview with CBC News Network's Power & Politics earlier this week, Bennett said "there was some misunderstanding" with the provinces and territories over who would foot the bill for the national inquiry.

"I think we are reassuring provinces that there will be no costs to the provinces," Bennett said.

Bennett said in a speech to the chiefs this weekthe federal government was "very close" toannouncing the launch of a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

"We are determined to do this right for the survivors, families and loved ones, to honour the spirits and memories of those we have lost, and to protect future generations," aspokesperson for Bennettsaid in an email to CBC .

'We are reassuring provinces there will be no costs to the provinces'

8 years ago

Duration 1:48

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett on clearing up 'misunderstandings' with the provinces on the murdered and missing Indigenous women inquiry.