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Gathering for remembrance and justice
On February 14, thousands of individuals from various communities across British Columbia came together for the annual Women’s Memorial March. This event, now in its 34th year, serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing crisis surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Despite the passage of time, many participants expressed frustration over the lack of significant change in the justice system.
Voices of the affected
Among the marchers was Carol Martin, an organizer from Vancouver, who shared her personal story of loss and injustice.
“I worked 35 years down here. I had a daughter who was stabbed multiple times in the stomach, the guy bit off her ear, gave her a hairline fracture and she was on life support. The guy didn’t get charged,” she recounted.
Martin’s experience highlights the urgent need for reform within the justice system, particularly in how it addresses cases involving Indigenous women.
Marching through the streets
The march in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside was marked by solemn stops at the last known locations of women who had disappeared.
Participants carried banners and chanted slogans, demanding accountability and justice. Concurrently, another march took place in Surrey, where Deana McDonald shared her own painful story: “We’re here today to honour our sisters that went missing, and also for everybody — my son was murdered in Edmonton in 2009, there’s still no justice for him.” Her words resonated with many, emphasizing the pervasive sense of loss and the urgent need for action.
The Highway of Tears and systemic issues
In Prince George, another significant gathering took place, particularly poignant given its location along the notorious “Highway of Tears.” This highway has been the site of numerous disappearances and murders, with the RCMP acknowledging at least 18 cases, over half of which involve Indigenous individuals.
Critics argue that the actual number is much higher, underscoring the systemic issues that continue to plague Indigenous communities.
Calls for action and change
Julie Daum from Carrier Sekani Family Services emphasized the need for action, stating, “Action is what’s needed. We need people to not just care, but take action.” The sentiment was echoed by many at the march, who believe that love must translate into tangible efforts to address these injustices. A national inquiry conducted in 2019 revealed a “persistent and deliberate pattern of systemic racial and gendered human and Indigenous-rights violations,” calling for over 200 actions to be taken by various levels of government. However, as of last summer, only two of these calls have been fully implemented, leaving many feeling disheartened yet determined.
