Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Inquiry Commissioners Marion Buller, Qajaq Robinson and Brian Eyolfson.
VANCOUVER, B.C.-The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls congratulates more than 100 organizations that successfully applied for funding to host community gatherings and events. These will further the healing of families and survivors of violence, and mark the end of the National Inquiry's mandate.
The National Inquiry received applications from coast to coast to coast, from large city centers to remote communities. A list of all organizations that will receive funding will soon be available on the National Inquiry's website.
"We are pleased that so many First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities will be hosting events to mark the occasion of the final report's release," said Chief Commissioner Marion Buller. "It's important that families and their communities celebrate the conclusion of this journey with us, as they were the ones who guided our first steps and walked with us. We have been so honored."
"Submissions include activities from commemoration walks and other events to raise awareness, to theatre performances to beading, and embroidery and to drum groups, fiddlers and dancers.
Commissioner Brian Eyolfson said, "This national crisis has affected both individuals and communities and healing needs to take place at both levels. This funding is our contribution to that healing process."
I could have easily been one of the murdered and missing women Labor Day weekend 1999. Today I am grateful that I am not a statistic", said Gail Gus, Crisis and Wellness Coordinator, Tseshaht First Nation. "The funding we will receive will give us the opportunity to bring closure and move our people forward, giving ceremony to offenders and victims and teaching one another how to live in peace with forgiveness. In the words of Tseshaht First Nation and the NuuchahNulth People, we say Klecko Klecko. Thank you so much."
"We share a collective trauma as a community with regard to our missing and murdered women and girls", said Tina Pisukie, Executive Director of the Southern Quebec Inuit Association. "With the help of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Southern Quebec Inuit Association's Grief Information and Healing Session will provide an opportunity for families of survivors to come together to grieve, learn and share."
"For more than 25 years, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has been working to address the issue of violence against Indigenous women through contributions to the development of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, victim services programs and an Indigenous women and an Honoring Métis women campaign," said Tony Muscat, President of the Moon River Métis Council. "The MNO is a partner in Ontario's Joint Working Group to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women and signatory to the Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women. We are honored to have the capacity to build on these existing programs and campaigns to bring awareness and healing to those who have experienced violence in the traditional territory of Moon River."
On June 3, 2019, the Commissioners will release the National Inquiry's Final Report, which includes recommendations to ensure the safety of First Nations, Métis and Inuit females.
