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Marion Buller, chief commissioner of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry, held a press conference this afternoon to provide an update on the next steps on the community hearings that have been stalled.
Buller assured families and survivors that the commission has been working hard and carefully and the recently postponed Whitehorse hearing will proceed next week, and the other hearings in the fall.
She said the commission takes responsibility for their weak communications strategy and have made adjustments to that strategy.
Buller said there is still hope and support of the commission to get the work done and understands the frustration and anxiety of people who have been waiting for this inquiry for as many as 40 years.
But others are telling the commission to take the time needed to be respectful and trauma informed, including decolonizing the process.
Being trauma informed means taking care of the people, she said. Ensuring that, even before people tell their stories, they have the proper health supports for them during and with supports to follow up.
Buller said they are alert to re-traumatization.
The Whitehorse hearing next week will be held in a tent, said Buller. The commission staff are trying to make it as healthy an experience that they can make it.
“It will not look like a court room,” she said.