A new voice for the MMIWG National Inquiry

Michael Hutchinson, Director of Communications for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (APTN photo)

Rhonda Lee McIsaac —

“I am proud to be a part of a project that will, hopefully, change Canada. I am humbled by the importance of the work I’ve been trusted with. My sense of duty and responsibility makes me a bit apprehensive about the weight of expectations, the negative aspects of the national conversation the Inquiry will touch off, and the incredible amount of work to be done in a short period of time. But I also feel it is an opportunity to make our communities, and Canada’s towns and cities, better places to raise an Indigenous family,” says Michael Hutchinson regarding his new role as Director of Communications for the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

A citizen of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, Manitoba he will have a home office in Winnipeg and says that there will be “tons of travel expected”. Hutchinson has spent the last few years with APTN as their national news anchor. He’s no stranger to the field of indigenous communications having worked as a writer with the Indian Claims Commission in Ottawa. He was also hired to manage communications for the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. He helped create the We Are All Treaty People campaign and worked as communications manager for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs under two Grand Chiefs.

“For my part, I hope to soften the harshness of the conversation that will occur around MMIWG and Indigenous communities, while also ensuring that the stories and debate that do come out of the Inquiry are effective in creating positive change in Indigenous communities and families,” the new Director of Communications stated in a recent Facebook post.