Nipimit Nanisiniq – Finding Voice

The objectives of the pre-inquiry meeting were to: provide an opportunity for Inuit families to meet, share their experiences, provide mutual support, and offer input to the scope, mandate/priorities and structure of the national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women; consult national, regional, urban and other representative Inuit organizations on recommendations for the national i [...] Then on February 11 and 12, the families and Pauktuutit Board members were joined by representatives of Inuit organizations and governments to further explore issues and priorities, and begin to formulate recommendations for the inquiry. [...] It is strongly recommended that prior to any final announcement of the mandate, scope, structure and process of the national inquiry that the federal government apply the principles of ethics in indigenous research methodologies and validate their interpretation of Inuit pre-consultation recommendations with participants to ensure Inuit needs and priorities will be incorporated and addressed. [...] Only by listening to and documenting real life experiences can the inquiry hope to understand the nature of these crimes, the long- term effects on family and community members, and the changes needs to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls. [...] Some participants saw the involvement of the provinces and territories as essential so the inquiry could make recommendations directed to them (e.g., in the areas of policing, and health and social services).