More than 100 people gathered by N’aas n’aas aksa Totem Pole at Victoria Quay in Port Alberni on Friday, May 5 to recognize the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.
Speakers talked of lifting up family members of those who are missing or murdered as much as they talked about remembering the names of those no longer with their families. “As often as they feel alone, we’re never alone because our ancestors are here walking with us,” Tseshaht First Nation elder Irene Robinson said.
Steady rain did not deter walkers from traversing well over a kilometre along the Somass River to Maht Mahs Gym on Tseshaht First Nation territory.
More than 50 members of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation attended the walk, choosing to support the event held in Port Alberni instead of holding their own on the west coast. Tla-o-qui-aht members were invited to lead the walk from N’aas n’aas aksa Totem Pole at Victoria Quay, along the Somass River to Maht Mahs Gymnasium on Tseshaht First Nation land.
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Tables inside the gym were covered in red tablecloths, and red dresses were hung around the room. Resource tables were set up, and the family of Lisa Marie Young—missing since June 30, 2002—had a table with information on Young’s disappearance as well as a fundraising walk the family will host Sunday, June 25 at 11 a.m. in Nanaimo.
On the stage in front of the room, walkers placed their “No More Stolen Sisters” posters as reminders. At the back of the room was a memorial featuring the names of 40 missing or murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people, with candles people could light in their honour.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president Judith Sayers was critical of the RCMP’s handling of MMIWG2S cases. She said one missing or murdered woman “is too many.
“We need further and better actions, quicker actions.”
She called on Nuu-chah-nulth members to find solutions on issues such as lack of transportation within the territory.
Francis Frank was one of many family members of missing and murdered women who spoke about their family members, and their frustration with Canada’s national police service and the way MMIWG2+ cases are treated. Frank called on all nations represented to put out their own calls to action and find a solution.
Chief Councillor Elmer Frank said it was important for Tla-o-qui-aht to support the walk “because we’ve been impacted by so many tragedies with our ladies, with our experiences with RCMP over the last few years.”
He talked about fixing the system, regarding MMIWG2S+ as more than just a file number. “We know that’s a system that has failed us,” he said. “We’re now at a place where these things aren’t stopping. We need to change our approach.”
The Franks were just one family whose members spoke of the loved ones they have lost.
For immediate emotional support, call the national MMIWG Crisis Line at 1-844-413-6649.
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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