Part I: Community Hearings and Visits

In keeping with our families-first approach, Part I of the Truth Gathering Process focussed on gathering stories from families and survivors through community hearings and statement gathering events. At 15 public community hearings, the National Inquiry heard from many people who have experienced violence firsthand. They shared their stories and told us what they believe needs to be done to increase the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA peoples.

These families and survivors chose to share their stories either publicly or privately in front of one or more Commissioners at a Community Hearing, or with a statement gatherer.

While registration for the Part I events closed on April 20, 2018, through this process the National Inquiry heard 1484 testimonies from families and survivors.

In addition, survivors, families and members of the public were encouraged to share their stories artistically through different mediums such as visual art, music, song, poetry, or film. All artistic expressions gathered through this process are documented according to the donor’s wishes and will become part of the National Inquiry’s Legacy Archive. All of these forms of truth-sharing are considered “evidence” and will inform the Commissioners’ final recommendations and findings of fact.

Community Hearings

Whitehorse, Yukon
Smithers, British Columbia 
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Membertou, Nova Scotia
Edmonton, Alberta
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Maliotenam, Quebec
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Yellowknife, North West Territories
Moncton, New Brunswick
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL 
Montreal, Quebec
Thompson, Manitoba
Vancouver, British Columbia

May 31, 2017- June 1, 2017 
September 26-28, 2017
October 16-20, 2017
October 30- November 1, 2017
November 7-9, 2017
November 21-23, 2017
November 27- December 1, 2017
December 4-6, 2017
January 23- 25, 2018
February 13-14, 2018
February 20-22, 2018
March 7-8, 2018
March 12- 16, 2018
March 20-21, 2018
April 4- 8, 2018

Statement Gathering Events

Prince George, British Columbia
Lower Post, British Columbia
Down Town Eastside Vancouver

Februrary 5-7, 2018
February 28- March 2, 2018
March 27-29, 2018