'We're not constantly having to fight' government on MMIW inquiry, says MKO

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson said it's refreshing to see a federal government working towards an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. 

North Wilson said she discussed her vision of what an inquiry might look like with Canada's new Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, during Bennett's visit to Winnipeg Tuesday evening. 

"We're not constantly having to fight and not constantly having to struggle with this ... at the community level," said North Wilson. "It seemed like we were operating in the dark and begging for help when we shouldn't have to. Now, it seems like this new government is not only willing to listen, but to work with us to find solutions."

• Indigenous Affairs Minister begins 'pre-inquiry engagements' with families of MMIW

For many families, advocates and indigenous leaders the fight for a national inquiry has been long. The Liberal government has promised to move swiftly and fulfil its campaign promise to examine the issue. Now, that has many wondering how an inquiry will be structured and when details could be officially announced. 

• UN's calls for inquiry into missing, murdered aboriginal women welcomed by First Nations poet and activist

North Wilson said she would like to see families who have lost loved ones consulted in the process. She has already told Bennett who she would like to see appointed as commissioner. 

"Definitely a female," said North Wilson. "We definitely need the heart of a woman to deal with this inquiry."

North Wilson hopes to see a major announcement made regarding the launch of the inquiry when the Assembly of First Nations chiefs meet in December. 

"My office has expressed interests in having that announcement made there," she said, adding she hasn't heard anything about an official timeline. "We're patient. At least we are here talking about it, rather than fighting for an inquiry. We are actually in the waiting period to see where it will go." 

Families already being consulted: minister

At a First Nations education conference in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, Bennett said she is already speaking with families.

"The more I listen to families, the more I understand they have many instincts and much knowledge about the way we go forward in order to get this right," she said. "They also remind me often that the inquiry is not going to fix this. The actions after the inquiry [are] going to be what can stop this epidemic and this terrible tragedy."

Bennett said the government has now committed to a pre-inquiry engagement that will make sure the design of the inquiry meets the needs of the families, and gets the results that are important to them, as well as organizations, provinces and territories.  

North Wilson said at the end of the day she wants to see more people talking about the problem and finding ways to put an end to it. 

"I want to see that magnified and help people understand across this country that this is an epidemic that needs to be stopped," said North Wilson. "Our women and girls and our men and our boys are being taken off our streets and our communities without proper justice. I think we need to find real answers for them and real solutions so it stops happening."