December 14, 2020
Q1. What is the role of the MMWIG Inuit Working Group?
A1. The role of this Working Group is to develop an Inuit Action Plan to implement the Calls to Justice of the MMIWG National Inquiry, including the 46 Inuit-specific Calls for Justice. We are working to develop a comprehensive plan that will address the needs of the families, communities and Inuit women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA persons who today live with systemic inequities that contribute to disproportionately high levels of violence. The Inuit Action Plan will form the Inuit chapter of the federal National Action Plan.
Q2. As a family member who did (or did not) testify, how am I going to be notified of the progress of the Inuit Action Plan? Will I have an opportunity to provide input?
A2. As co-chairs of the Working Group, Pauktuutit and ITK will provide updates on the efforts to develop the Inuit Action Plan. As a family member, your story has been reflected in the recommendations of the National Inquiry’s Final Report. Members of the Inuit Working Group are now developing a comprehensive implementation strategy that supports community solutions and addresses the root causes of violence against Inuit women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA persons.
Q3. How is the Inuit Working Group providing support to families?
A3. Your wellbeing is important to us. If you require immediate mental and emotional support, please call this independent national toll-free number: 1-844-413-6649. A counsellor is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. This service is available for you in Inuktut, English and French.
Q4. I wasn’t ready to testify and now would like to tell my story – should I contact the Inuit Working Group?
A4: The MMIWG National Inquiry has ended and tabled a final report. It is now time for our Working Group to focus on developing an Inuit Action Plan to implement the Calls to Justice.
Q5. Far too many times we tell our story but nothing comes from it. How realistic is it that the Inuit Action Plan will be actually implemented?
A5. All partners in this process are acting on the recommendation of the National Inquiry’s final report to co-develop a National Action Plan. We are working in good faith with each other and demanding action of accountability of government and ourselves. Our action plans must be fully resourced and include an accountability framework for the implementation of short-, medium- and long-term measures so that our progress is achievable and measureable.