Prince George, B.C.-  The  long awaited  national inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women and girls  is set to start  family  hearings  during the week of May 29th.Skeena Bulkley Valley MP   Nathan  Cullen says  getting  to this point “Has  been a bit frustrating.”   Cullen says  Ottawa   has been  more of a barrier  rather than a help   when it comes to accessing documents necessary for the inquiry “I know a lot of families are  looking forward to having their opportunity.  Hopes remain high  that this will actually  bring some understanding of the deeper issues.”

He blames the Federal Government  for   trying to limit the scope of the review  “Ultimately though,  this is an important promise to follow through on,  It’s  just taken a while to get started.   It’s been 18 months now, and   I think people are really keen to just have it get going.”

The commissioners have been mandated to examine the underlying historical, social, economic, institutional and cultural factors that contribute to the violence.

The  Inquiry is  set to start its first  family hearing  during the week of  May 29th in Whitehorse.  While there is a plan to hold  a family hearing in Northern B.C. ,  the date and location   have not yet  been specified.

With a budget of  $53.86 million dollars, the commission is to provide  an interim report with recommendations by November 1 of this year,   and its  final  report to the Federal Government  by November 1 of 2018.