Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past summer, while we worked and travelled in our constituencies, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls continued to take shape. Five commissioners were appointed in early August, continuing the pre-inquiry work begun at the start of this year when federal minister Carolyn Bennett visited Yellowknife in January. During her visit the Minister committed to work that recognizes "different and unique situations" — both across Canada and here in the Northwest Territories, the traditional home of many diverse Dene, Metis, and Inuit peoples. Mr. Speaker, this recognition is vital. Just this past July, Pauktuutit, an Inuit women's organization, brought national attention to the lack of an Inuk commissioner to the inquiry.
As we think of the unique needs of the Northern and Indigenous people, we must also remember that, for the families involved, the inquiries over the next few years will be stressful, demanding and difficult. Addressing trauma, grief and loss is no simple task.
If anyone finds himself struggling, Mr. Speaker, Northerners can call the NWT
Help Line at 1-800-661-0844. Mr. Speaker, when the inquiry submits its final report in November 2018, it will recommend concrete actions to remove systemic causes of violence and increase the safety of Indigenous women and girls and ways to honour and communicate missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Here and now, as the inquiry begins its work, we must all support its progress. Tell your MLAs and MPs that this work is important to you, consider how you can help people in need in your community, let national and local media know that you want to see the commission's work on the news, and when you see a headline, click on it to stay informed and support local organizations and initiatives like the Native Women's Association annual Sisters in Spirit vigil, which most recently took place on October 4th.
For many individuals and families, the inquiry's work is all too real. Yet for Northerners who may be removed from this painful reality, these stories might sound like just another headline. But, Mr. Speaker, this is not at all the case. The women and girls at the heart of this inquiry are loved and missed each day by their family and friends.
CBC has written a brief online profile of hundreds of missing or murdered Indigenous women, with the oldest file dating back to 1951. This includes five women from the Northwest Territories. I encourage my colleagues to read these profiles, as these stories must be heard.
As individuals and as a government, we must help the inquiry in its work. Together we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to create a different future for all Indigenous women and for our country. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
