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Indigenous Affairs minister hears anger, cynicism from families of murdered women

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says she heard anger and cynicism today as she met with families of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

WINNIPEG — Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says she heard anger and cynicism today as she met with families of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Bennett is consulting victims' families and others on how an upcoming inquiry into missing and murdered women should be designed.

She says the government will have to find a balance between having the inquiry focused properly on the key issues while also ensuring it is broad enough to address people's concerns.

Bennett says she heard the frustration in Winnipeg of families who mistrust police and politicians, and who feel like indigenous victims are not given the same treatments as others.

Willie Starr -- whose sister, Jennifer Catcheway disappeared in 2008 -- says he would like to see statistics on how often families are unsatisfied with police investigations.

Starr says it has taken years to get a government inquiry going, and he hopes other Canadians develop a better understanding of the issues indigenous persons face.