Professor Marilyn Poitras. Photo courtesy University of Saskatchewan’s website.
On Wednesday, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett released the terms of reference and announced the five inquiry commissioners who will conduct the inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Among the commissioners is Marilyn Poitras, a native law professor at the University of Saskatchewan. The faculty bio for Poitras on the U of S’s College of Law website describes Constitutional, Aboriginal ad customary law as her expertise and passion. She started her legal career as a Native Court Worker, and in the years since she has litigated in all levels of court in Canada.
Bennett says the nine page terms of reference will investigate the systemic causes of violence against indigenous women and girls in Canada.
Initially the cost of the two-year inquiry was estimated at $40 million, it has now been boosted to almost $54 million with an additional $16 million for victims’ relatives if they want to challenge the police complaints process.
The FSIN will comment on the announcement during a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Saskatoon.
The Assembly of First Nations has already commented, with Chief Perry Bellegarde saying his organization will stand with the families of the victims to ensure their voices are heard through all stages of the inquiry.
The other Commissioners are:
- The Honourable Marion Buller, Chief Commissioner
- Michèle Audette, Commissioner
- Qajaq Robinson, Commissioner
- Brian Eyolfson, Commissioner