According to a July 16 news release, the agreement provides “more funding” for Nova Scotia’s Family Information Liaison Unit, which is run through the province’s Victim Services office. The new deal provides almost $2.2 million over five years — an increase of almost $800,000 over the last five-year deal.
More money will mean the addition of a full-time case co-ordinator at Victim Services and a full-time community outreach position at the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association.
The release notes that the liaison unit provides specialized support services to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous people in a “family-centred, culturally grounded and trauma-informed manner.”
“It helps gather information from government sources about the family’s loved one, including assistance in addressing unanswered questions, and also makes connections between family members and cultural advisors, Elders and other culturally grounded community supports,” it states.
Family information liaison units were established in 2016 in support of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
Nova Scotia Justice Minister and Attorney General Becky Druhan spoke of the services offered.
“Through Nova Scotia’s Victim Services, we strive to provide supports that are culturally responsive and easy to navigate so that people can access justice and move toward healing,” said Druhan in a statement. “The Family Information Liaison Unit is an important resource for Indigenous families, and I’m so pleased to see it continue and expand.”
Federal Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser said providing information to victims’ families is “an essential part of the healing process.”
“This support will help more families in Nova Scotia get the answers they deserve. It means more staff on the ground to guide families, stronger outreach in Mi’kmaw communities across Nova Scotia, and services that are grounded in culture, compassion and trust,” said Fraser.
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