In a tense exchange with the chief commissioner of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women Thursday, an Indigenous NDP MP accused the inquiry of “offloading” its responsibilities onto local governments and organizations. “There seems to be a lot of offloading that is occurring right now.”Chief commissioner Marion Buller explained that the inquiry works in partnership with local communities, but also sends its own staff into communities across the country. Jolibois later told the Post that one of the main concerns for people in her riding is the cost of attending hearings. “And if your community wants the national inquiry to visit, I guarantee we’ll visit,” she told the committee. “The realities that face Indigenous women are also faced by Indigenous men and boys.” For her family and friends, she said, “I have given what I can and will continue to.”• Email: mforrest@postmedia.com | Twitter: MauraForrest

Source: National Post September 21, 2017 18:56 UTC