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  2. The BCGEU granted standing at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - BCGEU

The BCGEU granted standing at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - BCGEU

Published on August 01, 2017

Good news from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The BCGEU has been granted standing in the MMIWG allowing it to make formal written and oral submissions to the public inquiry. 

The letter received states:

On behalf of the Commissioners, the Application for Standing submitted by BC Government and Service Employees' Union has been granted, for greater certainty, the Commissioners have granted standing in Part I, for the Region of British Columbia, for the issues as applied, with full rights. 

"I am very pleased to hear our application was accepted. The essential work of our members has been recognized by the commission and they've asked to hear from them directly," says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "Several of our members around the province have worked with now missing and murdered women and girls, and feel strongly that their stories and experiences be shared with the commission." 

"I am so proud of the work our members do with Indigenous peoples and communities. We now have some of our most important work ahead of us as we prepare for our submission to the Inquiry. Recently, we released our report on Women's Services in B.C. – Collective Wisdom: Challenges and Opportunities in BC Women's Services. It speaks to the vital work our members do to protect and support vulnerable women and girls and their children, including many Indigenous women and girls. We intend to share this collective voice and experience directly with the inquiry." 

 "We have already shared these findings with the Federal Minister of Status of Women, Honourable Maryam Monsef, as well as the former Provincial Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, Honourable Michelle Stilwell. I hope to meet with Minister Monsef in September to further discuss our members' work, how we can better protect and support Indigenous women and girls, and how we can help provide healing and justice for their communities." 

The BCGEU will issue further updates as our involvement with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls progresses.