A sacred fire ceremony in Whitehorse marked the opening of the hearings phase to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Monday.
About 30 people gathered in a circle at sunrise for traditional prayers and songs. A sacred fire will burn at the site of the hearings until they conclude later this week.
More than 40 people have signed up to speak.
Chief Commissioner Marion Buller says her team is working hard to ensure the families’ expectations are met.
Thirteen people representing four families are expected to testify publicly on Tuesday.

Canadians are anxious to reconcile with Indigenous Peoples.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says this is what he conveyed to Pope Francis Monday as he asked the pontiff to apologize for the role the Catholic Church played in the tragedy of residential schools.
Trudeau said Pope Francis seemed open to the idea and expressed interest in working with the prime minister and the Canadian Catholic bishops on finding a way forward on the issue of an apology.
A papal apology and recanting of a papal bull which says indigenous people don’t have souls was one of the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of his breach of parole.
Christian PERRY is described as a white male, 30 years of age, 6’2 ft tall, 242 lbs with blond hair and blue eyes. His head is possibly shaved.
He is serving a 3 year and 7 month sentence for drug, weapons and property crime offences, as well as failing to comply with conditions of his recognizance.
Perry is known to frequent the Region of Waterloo, Toronto, Hamilton, and Brantford.
Anyone having contact with Perry or information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

A 47 year old Ohsweken man was arrested and is facing firearms charges after answering the door holding a loaded shotgun.
Six Nations Police say they were responding to a call to check on the well being of a man Friday evening at a residence on Oneida Road.
Officers were met at the door by a man holding a loaded shotgun. Officers took possession of the weapon.
Police say the man, 47 year old Adam Seymour was prohibited from possessing firearms and wanted on an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Seymour was arrested and faces several firearms charges.
He was held in custody for a bail hearing.

Officials for the Brant Community Healthcare System say they will recieve an additional $2.4 million dollar investment from the recent provincial budget.
The funds will be used to provide the public faster access to health care and expand crucial services.
BCHS President Jim Hornell says some of the funding will go to support nursing units during times of high volumes of patients in care.
Hornell says the entire Brant Healthcare System has been at 100% occupancy for the last year. He is hoping the funding will help relieve some of that in-patient volume.