'It's too late in the game': Indigenous leader says MMIW inquiry must continue despite criticism

A First Nation leader says the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls should continuedespite the communication problems that are hampering it.

Chief ErnieCreyof theCheamFirst Nation said the families that have waited years for an inquiry to happendeserve to have it continue.His sister Dawn Crey is one of the women whose DNA was found on Robert Pickton's farm.

"To basically dump it and start all over again ... I don't see that as on, we're too late in the process," saidCreyduringCBC'sOn the Coast. "It's now time to replace people who have resigned and get on with the main work of the inquiry."

The inquiry has faced criticismasfivestaff members of the commission have resigned since June.

Listen to the interview with Ernie Crey:

Marilyn Poitraswas the most recent commissioner to resign, saying her vision for the inquiry was not shared by many involved in the process. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown no sign he intends tointervene in the independent inquiry.

Rather than replacing the entire commission as some are suggesting, Crey would prefer the inquiry focus on meeting theNovember deadline for its interim report.

"These are administrative matters than can be tidied up rather quickly and the commission can get on with it's fundamental task," saidCrey."The commission itself has admitted that it's had communications issues but they've promised to remedy them."

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says the inquiry will forge ahead as planned.

Francyne Joe with the Native Women's Association of Canada however says the inquiry's lack of transparency is indicativeof its need for an overhaul.

She says commission staff are difficult to contact andthere aretoo many barriers for families in applying to have their storiesheard.

"Families are asking 'What sortof expenses are going to be covered?', 'What sort of resources are going to be covered?' and they're not getting answers due to poor communication," said Joe.

Creyhowever feels a final cogent and timely report from the commission will provide practical recommendations that will help reduce the violent deaths and disappearances of women and girls in Canada.

With files from On the Coast