Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), First Nations Summit (FNS), Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) and the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of B.C. (NCCABC) today called upon the Attorney General of B.C. to reverse his earlier decision and fund the Aboriginal Groups to participate in the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry headed by Commissioner Wally Oppal, Q.C.
“It is totally unacceptable that the Province would establish an Inquiry into the deaths and disappearances of so many missing Aboriginal women and not allow Aboriginal people a voice at that Inquiry.” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the UBCIC said. “Once again, it will be a case of the Christy Clark government speaking on behalf of Aboriginal peoples subsequent to deliberately muzzling our voices.” Grand Chief Phillip also called on the Government to commit to funding counsel for both those families not yet represented at the Inquiry and the Participants recommended for funding by Commissioner Oppal.
Earlier this year, Commissioner Oppal granted the Aboriginal Groups and others Participant status at the Inquiry. Oppal also recommended to the Attorney General (A.G.) that B.C. provide funding to the Participants so that they could participate in the Inquiry. The A.G. of B.C. rejected the Commissioner’s recommendation in respect of all Participants except for the families of 10 of the murdered or missing women.