Manitoba families upset with ‘rushed’ MMIWG inquiry hearings

As Winnipeg hearings for a national inquiry came to a close Friday, some families admitted they were disappointed with the format, calling it “rushed”.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Woman and Girls Winnipeg Community Hearings began Monday at the Radisson Hotel, with 75 people expected to participate.

But as the week went on, more people registered and the inquiry made room for 24 additional people to speak.

As of Friday morning, the inquiry said 79 people had spoken with everyone expected to have their say by day’s end.

Sue Caribou, aunt of missing woman Tanya Nepinak, said her hearing was also delayed and changed at the last minute.

RELATED: Third murder charge stayed against killer

“I thought I was going to be able to do this with my family,” Caribou said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I thought I was going to be able to do this with my family," Caribou said.

“But they told me last minute I’m sharing in the circle,” she added, meaning her stories would be told with several other families she didn’t know.

Bernice Catcheway, mother of missing woman Jennifer Catcheway, said her family was originally given 20 minutes to speak at a private session on Tuesday.

“This is our inquiry, not theirs,” she said. “They’re paid 53 million dollars, they can sit there and listen, and not rush them.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is our inquiry, not theirs," she said. "They're paid 53 million dollars, they can sit there and listen, and not rush them."

READ MORE: ‘It’s falling apart’: Family of missing woman disappointed in inquiry

The Catcheways eventually got what they wanted, speaking for more than an hour in a sharing circle on Friday.

One of the inquiry commissioners, Michel Audette, admitted that more than a week will be needed for future hearings.

“We should have more time for the families,” Audette said. “It’s normal that they are frustrated, I think those criticisms are there for us to improve and change.”

With the Winnipeg hearings concluded, the inquiry will hold three days of statements in Norway House next month.