SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Women's advocacy groups in the NWT are highly optimistic their concerns are being heard after the federal government announced it would proceed with an inquiry for murdered and missing indigenous women.

On Dec. 8, the government announced the launching of an inquiry which would begin with consulting survivors, family members and loved ones of victims, as well as representatives from aboriginal, provincial and territorial governments, according to a news release.

The government indicated the inquiry would be led across three federal departments with Jody Wilson-Raybould, minister of Justice and the attorney general, Patty Hajdu, minister of the Status of Women, and Carolyn Bennett, minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs heading the effort. The government said consultations will involve designing the scope of the inquiry so it is most effective in asking the right questions, hearing from the right people, having the right length and involving the most relevant people in the process.

Women's groups said they were elated because it sends the message that broader concerns are being taken seriously.

"We are thrilled and happy that (the) federal government has done a complete turnaround when it comes to all indigenous organizations and with indigenous rights," said Alisa Praamsma, executive director of the Native Women's Association of the NWT. "It is quite amazing and I am so optimistic. It is almost like they are thinking in indigenous terms."

Praamsma said although the federal government is in the very early stages of providing a framework to carry out an investigation, she said she expected her organization will be involved in helping the government connect with families who have suffered from being neglected by elected leaders "for decades."

While she is very open to working with other women's groups in the city on this file, she said her organization plays a more central role.

"I think there are specific issues that native women are able to speak to when it comes to murdered or missing indigenous women and I think we will play a key role in how the consultation process will be," she said.

Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director of the Status of Women Council of the NWT, said her organization is very interested in participating in any way it can. She hopes ultimately that proper harm reduction programs can be established by the government to better protect vulnerable women.

"We are interested in the process even while it is in the very early stages," she said, adding that she could help the government access women from across the Northwest Territories who have experienced abuse or shared their stories with the council.

What's important is that better ways are found of helping women and girls stay "out of harm's way" and that families are heard on the subject, Phaneuf said.

"I think we have to be mindful that families are heard - not a selection - but lots of families from across the nation," she said. "It is also important that we hear from those with lived experience on what would be helpful to them because those are the women who know where there is a lack of services and where things could be better."

Lyda Fuller, executive director of YWCA Yellowknife said her organization probably wouldn't play as prominent a role in helping to design an inquiry. She said, however, she has many resources that she is open to providing.

"I can't foresee involvement but you never know what will be needed," she said, adding the YWCA's contacts to women fleeing violence and homeless families could be helpful. "I was happy with the announcement. (The inquiry) is a huge issue and needs focused attention. I am hoping that it will illuminate underlying causes of systemic issues which lead to the high rate of missing and murdered."

A call put to Bill Erasmus, Dene National Chief was not returned by press time.

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