Teams from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are in Manitoba meeting with families this week.

Health, community relations and legal teams from the inquiry held a community meeting with people from Sagkeeng First Nation on Tuesday in the nearby town of Powerview-Pine Falls.

Sagkeeng First Nation band and council said it has the highest number of MMIWG cases from one community in Canada, including the case of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine who was found dead in the Red River in Winnipeg in 2014. Her death renewed calls for a national inquiry.

Earl Joseph Morrisseau said he attended the meeting Tuesday because he doesn't want his murdered loved ones from Sagkeeng First Nation forgotten. 

Morrisseau said his sister Glenda was killed in 1991, followed by his niece Kelly in 2006.

"I know what these people, the pain they are going through,” said Morrisseau. “I can feel it now because I've cried and I know a lot of them cry every day,” he added.

Lillian M. Cook has been researching 15 MMIWG cases from Sagkeeng First Nation 

Cook said many families were not told about the inquiry's community meeting Tuesday and have been left in the dark about the process.

“There is a lot of confusion. The families are unaware about the inquiry and specifically what’s happening today. I had no idea what was expected and no idea who was coming in,” she said.

A spokesperson for the national inquiry says the community meeting was intended as a way for families and people with the inquiry to prepare for more formal hearing in Winnipeg this October. 

Christa Big Canoe is with the inquiry's legal team. She said participating in the inquiry is voluntary and requires registration. 

Tuesday’s community meeting involved a sharing circle and a chance for families with speak with inquiry teams about their options when it comes to the hearings.

"Sometimes people don't get notification, but when they call us or contact us we work with them so they have an opportunity to participate. ." 

Big Canoe said families don't have to take part in a public hearing come October. She said there are also options for people to make statements or have private meetings with the commissioner.

Inquiry teams will be in Winnipeg for meetings beginning Wednesday through Friday.