Ogichidaa Kavanaugh Statement on the MMIWG National Inquiry Hearing in Thunder Bay

Media Release

The National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls begins this week in Thunder Bay from December 4-6, 2017. Ogichdaa Francis Kavanaugh stated, “on behalf of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3 I would like to extend our thoughts to the families who are at the NorWester Hotel in Thunder Bay this week. We acknowledge their advocacy on behalf of their loved one, their tireless determination in advocating for a National Inquiry and the grief and pain they have experienced”.

The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3 has hosted three MMIWG families’ gatherings and has sent correspondence to request a National Inquiry hearing be held in the Treaty#3 territory. At the Fall Assembly hosted in Iskatewizaagegan #39 First Nation, Chief Brian Perrault, Couchiching First Nation asked Commissioner Brian Eyolfson specifically for a hearing to come to the territory. Grand Council Treaty#3 will continue to lobby for the hearing and the changes to policing, child welfare, justice and victim services that families identified at the Family Gatherings.