NWAC Releases Third Report Card on National Inquiry into MMIWG

Press Release

May 7, 2018

Ottawa, ON – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has released our third Report Card on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In December of 2015 the Government of Canada launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). As a non-partisan third party observer, NWAC has released Report Cards evaluating the Inquiry’s progress and activities, attended Inquiry hearings, and has been participating in the Inquiry’s National Indigenous Organization (NIO) Advisory Council.

The intention of NWAC’s Report Cards are to honestly represent our observations of the progress of the Inquiry through its mandate. NWAC must emphasize the most important aspect of the Inquiry – inspiring true empathy for and understanding of the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and their families.

The last report card issued was in May of 2017 and the delay in the third report was a consequence of considerable issues within the Inquiry. A full reset of the process was discussed in October of 2017 and NWAC chose to delay the Report Card until the New Year. In early 2018, a request for an extension to the Inquiry was made. In both instances, we chose to postpone the release of the Report Card in consideration of placing families first and to allow the decision-making process to occur free of influence from the Report Card.

NWAC is confident that the Report Cards will provide definitive and beneficial observations and recommendations that takes into consideration several factors. Per the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, the report card provides assessment in fifteen areas and gives grades that include ‘pass’, ‘action required’, ‘fail’, and ‘insufficient information’.

It is important to note that the reporting period for this document captures from May 2017 to March 2018. Since this report card was finalized, there have been further changes within the operations of the National Inquiry that includes the appointment of a fifth Executive Director. It is our sincere hope that the recent appointment of an Indigenous woman, Jennifer Moore Rattray, as Executive Director will allow for the implementation of these recommendations and significant changes to the overall operational and administrative process of the National Inquiry.

NWAC understands that there are many good reasons for survivors and families that have chosen not to participate in this Inquiry. Some of these reasons have been outlined in the third Report Card. NWAC will continue to support an extension request as long as there are families and survivors who want to use this avenue to share their truths and their loved ones’ stories.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joël Lamoureux – Director of Communications – 613-722-3033 X100 – Cell 343-997-1354 jlamoureux@nwac.ca

www.nwac.ca

Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) – 1 Nicholas Street, 9th Floor – Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7

613-722-3033 1-800-461-4043

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