First Nations shun Missing Women Inquiry over legal funding

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Two First Nations groups are withdrawing from the Missing Women Inquiry.

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council are blaming the Christy Clark government.

The move comes after the province announced it will only pay for lawyers to represent people whose family members were victims of serial killer Robert Pickton.

That leaves out groups representing sex trade workers, First Nations peoples and people who live on the Downtown Eastside.

Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee says Clark missed a chance to show the safety of aboriginal women is a priority.

“She’s on this agenda of families first,” Teegee said.  “I think our families, the families of indigenous people, are a part of the fabric of British Columbia. We have families.”

He wants to see Clark come up with more funding so the inquiry can be expanded to include groups like his.

“Quit paying us lip service by saying Indigenous women matter and put your money where your mouth is.”

The Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC also walked away from the inquiry a few days ago.

Commissioner Wally Oppal wrote a letter to the Attorney General last month asking for more government funding, but was denied.

The BC NDP is once again asking the province to come up with more money for the inquiry.

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