The formal establishment of an inquiry around Innu children in care is still expected this week.

But Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Lisa Dempster says that doesn’t mean the work hasn’t already begun. She says positive change is happening day by day, often on recommendations by the child and youth advocate.

As of January, there were 970 children in the care or custody of the province. Almost one-third of them were Indigenous, including 165 Innu and 110 of Inuit descent.

Dempster acknowledges the disproportionate numbers. She says there’s an over-representation of Indigenous children in care in this province and across the country, adding the inquiry here will be announced within days.

Dempster wouldn’t elaborate on her reference to more than one commissioner for the inquiry, saying all will be revealed within days.

The inquiry is expected to begin before the end of this year, once the inquiry into search and rescue concludes.