PUBLISHED Dec. 9, 2015, THE HILL TIMES

The Liberals’ announcement that it will begin the “design phase” of an inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women shows the government is changing the channel on its relationship with aboriginal peoples, say experts.

“The government has taken a bold step in addressing this national tragedy. The plight of our 1,200 grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, cousins and friends has been ignored for far too long,” Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Dwight Dorey said. “I am uplifted by the government’s announcement to work alongside the families of victims and Indigenous organizations in launching an inquiry.”

The CAP also noted: “The government’s action is a strong sign that the Trudeau government is committed to real change and to building nation-to-nation partnership with Indigenous peoples.”

Ryerson University professor Pamela Palmater, a Mi’kmaq lawyer and chair of Indigenous governance at the university, told The Hill Times agreed that government’s signals are moving in the right direction.

“The new government has already changed the dialogue on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls from former PM Stephen Harper’s ‘not high on our radar’ to PM Justin Trudeau’s ‘top priority,’” she said. “It remains to be seen whether they will act, but the signs are positive so far.”

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.), Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould (Vancouver Granville, B.C.) and Status of Women Minister Patricia Hajdu (Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.) launched phase one of the inquiry at a press conference on Dec. 8 in the foyer of the House of Commons. This first phase consists of consultations with families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, stakeholders, provincial and territorial representatives and national aboriginal organizations in order to determine the design and scope of the inquiry.

“Doing better requires openness and the ability to listen. We have heard this loudly and clearly, and we have heard that this cannot just be another report,” Ms. Wilson-Raybould said. “As a first step, we will meet with the families in the National Capital Region with the goal of hearing their views on the design of the inquiry and what it needs to achieve.  And over the next two months, we will hear from more families, other indigenous peoples, national Aboriginal organizations and a range of frontline services, workers and others.  And beginning this week, we will see their input on the design of the inquiry and on what needs to be achieved.  We will listen clearly to their voices. No inquiry, as we know, can undo what happened nor can it restore what we have lost, but it can help us find ways forward because we know as a country we can and must do better, and we will do so in partnership.”

Ms. Bennett said that the first phase “will be as long as it takes to get it right,” adding that she hopes to be announce the actual inquiry in Spring 2016.

“This phase is about setting the tone for a collaborative, inclusive process,” Ms. Bennett said. “This is about what we can all do to prevent violence, to raise awareness about disparities, about all of the disparities and to move us forward on the path to reconciliation.”

Ms. Bennett added: “Both racism and sexism are a huge part of this and we need to hear those stories such that Canadians understand really that racism and sexism in this country kills.”

Ms. Palmater said Ms. Bennett’s message was a significant one “to convey the message to Canadians that this is a life and death issue. If they can avoid the traps of the past and not turn this issue into program funding for AFN, then we have a chance at a real inquiry.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in a statement that the AFN welcomed the announcement. “This has been a long time coming, and we have always said the families and individuals impacted by violence against women be central to immediate action and a national inquiry,” he said.

“After years of denial and deflection, it is my hope we can make real strides in achieving justice for families and achieving safety and security for all our people. This approach is consistent with our calls for a new relationship and collaborative approach to addressing priorities. By working together and with the full participation of First Nations we can close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations people and Canadians.”

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair (Outremont, Que.) asked the government during Question Period when a report from the inquiry would be available. “Canadians are indeed heartened to see that the new government is moving ahead on the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. However, the question is this. Given the urgency of this national crisis, can the Prime Minister provide Canadians with a timeline for real action? Can we expect a report by the end of 2016?” he asked.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) responded by saying that the government is committed to making sure the inquiry is done right.

The Conservative Party is also now in support of the inquiry. “It’s something that I think we should do. I believe very strongly that anything that we can do as a Parliament to support what is a very tragic situation among aboriginal women in this country, they are five times more likely to suffer violence than non-Aboriginal women, that we need to do everything we can,” said interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose (Sturgeon River-Parkland, Alta.). “What I have said to the government, though, is please, do not take years and years because we need to act. There has been a lot of good programs under our government—they continue today—but we have to keep acting.”