Media Advisory: Accreditation and Scheduling of Community Hearings in Thunder Bay, ON
Press Release
November 29, 2017
Vancouver BC- The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Women and Girls will hold Community Hearings at the Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre, located at 2080 Hwy 61 in Thunder Bay from December 4-6, 2017. Media are invited to the public hearings on December 4 and December 5. The final day is all PRIVATE scheduling, therefore media WILL NOT be allowed on-site for the safety of those testifying.
Commissioners Michèle Audette and Brian Eyolfson will hear from about 50 family members and survivors through public and private hearings, sharing circle testimonies and artistic expression panels. There will also be statement gatherers on-site that can accommodate up to another 40 walk-ins who may wish to register. Scheduling runs from 9 am through 5 pm ET daily.
All media that want to participate must RSVP through our email account: media@mmiwg-ffada.ca. You can download the accreditation form on our website: http://mmiwg-ffada.ca/en/media-room/media-accreditation/.
A mandatory technical briefing will take place on Sunday, December 3 @ 3:00 PM for media that would like to report on-site during two of the three days in Thunder Bay.
Location: Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre 2080 Hwy 61, Thunder Bay, ON
The three day schedule is full in Thunder Bay so there WILL NOT be a press conference during the week. However, there will be opportunity, during the first 2 days, for journalists to speak with Commissioners, including:
- in the morning before hearings start
- during lunch break
- or after the close of each day
You will need to provide detail requests in advance with our Communications team onsite: Shaylen Smith. If the questions are more technical and process focused, we may direct your requests to staff that are designated as subject matter experts.
A reminder for those who can’t attend, the Thunder Bay Community Hearings will be live streamed on our website and Facebook page:
Website: http://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMIWG/
The entire process will be guided by traditional ceremonies of the Anishnaabeg and the Métis peoples of the Robinson-Superior Treaty. There will be a Sacred Fire outside the hotel that will be kept burning through the entire event. All Ceremonies are open to the public but out of respect for local protocols no photos or video will be tolerated.
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Released by:
National Inquiry Communications 250- 351- 4336
Email: media@mmiwg-ffada.ca
s.smith@mmiwg-ffada.ca
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