Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) is one of a number of First Nations groups to withdraw from the B.C. Missing Women Inquiry, citing a lack of funds.
The inquiry was launched by the B.C. government in 2010 to review the police investigation into missing women from Vancouver's downtown east side.
The commission's mandate also recommends changes to the conduct of investigations into missing women and suspected multiple homicides, such as those along Hwy. 16.
CSFS say they can no longer participate.
The announcement comes after the province declared it will only pay for lawyers to represent those whose family members were victims of convicted serial killer Robert Pickton.
In a statement released by CSFS, executive director Warner Adam said he is deeply disappointed with the manner in which the inquiry has unfolded.
"The organization is mandated by tribal nations to provide direct service and advocacy for its members. We have been instrumental in seeking justice and closure for the families of missing women on Hwy. 16. CSFS has been working with family members and has formed a governing body with limited resources from the government. Now the funding pot has dried up and we can no longer provide this service to families."
"For the commission to simply dismiss organizations that have been involved with the process since day one is shameful and disgraceful. We have been left with no choice but to withdraw support from the commission in its current form, as it appears to be self serving and has lost sight of the objectives."
CSFS were hoping the inquiry would be community based and hoping the process would be available to those that are effected so that they could actively participate.
CSFS hope the inquiry will go forward with the information it has already received to meet its objectives, but there will be significant partners left out of the process.
"I hope Premier Christy Clark will ensure the process is transparent and ensure that there are safeguards in place for women that are alone anywhere in the province. There needs to be a solid recourse for law enforcers, such as RCMP, police and judges, to follow in the event of another Pickton, or another mass slew of women missing from the same area."
Chris Freimond, spokesperson for the Missing Women Commission said to Lakes District News that on two separate occasions, the commission recommended to the government that funding be provided to all 13 groups and individuals that were granted standing before the commission.
"The government agreed to fund the lawyer representing the families of some of the murdered and missing women from Vancouver's downtown east side, but turned down the recommendation to fund the other 12 groups."
"The Missing Women Commission is disappointed that CSFS and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs have decided to withdraw from the inquiry. However, the commission does appreciate that lack of funding makes it very difficult for them to take part."
Freimond said the commission feels that it has done all it can to persuade the government to fund the groups and is looking at other options to ensure that the interests of B.C. Aboriginal women are represented at the inquiry.
"Between Sept. 12 and 22, 2011, they will hold nine community forums in Northern B.C. to give members of the communities an opportunity to provide input to the commission on issues within its mandate.
"This will help inform the commission's report and provide recommendations for the initiation and conduct of investigations of missing and murdered women. It will also allow the commission to take into account the situation in specific communities."