The number of missing or murdered indigenous women in Canada since 1980 may be as high as 4,000 – far more than previous estimates of 1,200, the federal government has said.
The minister for the status of women said there were no accurate figures because of a lack of hard data.
But Patty Hajdu said research from the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) put it at more than 4,000.
A national inquiry is due to begin shortly.
Ms Hajdu and Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett have been speaking to survivors and relatives across Canada.