Alberta to help families of the missing and murdered
The province introduced new advocates on Friday that will help families of missing and murdered indigenous women navigate the complicated world of the Canadian justice system.
The $1.5-million program is part of Alberta’s broader commitment to the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, which the federal government launched last year.
The advocates, known as Family Information Liaison Units, will help families with the justice system in general as well as assist with specific information about criminal investigations, court proceedings or fatality inquiries involving loved ones.
There also will be elders available to the staff to make sure their advice is culturally appropriate.
“There is a great need in this community for somebody to step up and listen to our people. To understand what they’re feeling and understand their frustration,” said Don Langford, executive director of the Métis Child and Family Services Society in central Edmonton, where the announcement was made on Friday.
“At times people just feel that nobody gives a damn.”
Janice Randhile, the family liaison for southern Alberta, said she’s looking forward to an opportunity to “make a direct, positive difference to help support the families of
There is a great need in this community for somebody to step up and listen to our people.
missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.”
In 2006, Randhile heard the story of a woman who was out celebrating with friends and never came home, which convinced her that “all indigenous women are a target” and made her want to get involved. She described the work as “truly an honour.”
“It is designed to be a culturally-relevant one-stop support service and information source for the families of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,” said Richard Feehan, Indigenous Relations Minister.
Much of the information families need can be spread across multiple departments or offices, making even simple requests overly complicated, said Feehan.
“Many have experienced great frustration when they try to track down investigations into the loss of their loved ones,” said Feehan.
The funding comes from the federal government and has also been provided to other provinces to set up similar units.
Three members of the team will be based in Edmonton and one will be based in Grande Prairie, but they will spend much of their time travelling to communities across the province, including southern Alberta.
The funding runs roughly alongside the $54-million national inquiry, until March 2019. An interim report is expected from the commission on Nov. 1.
To contact an advocate, families can call 780-427-3460.