Stolen Sisters marchers heartened by national inquiry
Hundreds of people marched down Government Street to the B.C. legislature Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to indigenous girls and women who have died or gone missing in Canada.
Participants in the ninth annual Stolen Sisters Memorial March also had something to celebrate: the long-delayed start of an independent national public inquiry. “It is happening, and it’s going to be quite the process,” said Victoria Pruden, one of the speakers who addressed a large crowd, many wearing traditional First Nations clothing.
“From the Métis nation perspective, what we’re looking for is to be able to support women who give testimony to do so in the safest way possible,” said Pruden, executive director of the Bridges for Women society and Metis Women of B.C. chair. “We’re honouring our stolen sisters and the ongoing need to remind ourselves and our community that trauma treatment and taking care of ourselves is so very important.”
Marchers arrived at the legislature shortly after 1 p.m. after making ceremonial stops along the way.
Participants said last year’s crowd was larger, likely the result of a wave of optimism prompted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pledge to launch an independent national inquiry.
Marchers gathered at 11 a.m. at Our Place, 919 Pandora Ave., for a prayer and a welcoming ceremony to start. Indigenous women, girls and drummers and singers led the emotional march.
“We are very lucky to be here,” said Christine Lavallee, a volunteer in her early 50s who emphasized this was not a protest, but “a memorial commemorating 1,100-plus women who have been murdered or missing.”
Lavallee, a former drug addict and “survivor of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside” said she felt “blessed” being on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen communities. “Sadly, I knew a few of those women. Ideally, with the recognition of those lost and murdered women, services and resources could be more accessible to those who are suffering.”
Lavallee expressed her gratitude to the Victoria Cool Aid Society for the support they provided to her and her husband when they moved here 10 years ago.
Lenore Friesen, 68, a Winnipegborn Métis woman who said she can no longer march because of her arthritis, was marking her 17th year as a participant.
“I haven’t lost anyone like this, but there’s a great deal of honour for folks who come and present themselves and tell us what they need,” said Friesen, accompanied by Maggie May, her Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy.
Métis Nation in Saskatchewan member Alyssa Hrenyk and her sisters Jordan Hrenyk and Ashley McKay attended with their friend Katie Sage, program director for CFUV radio.
“The indigenous women in our family are the strongest women, and it’s nice to have a space to think about the inquiry, something that is so important,” said Alyssa Hrenyk.
“We want to get more involved and support indigenous women,” said Jordan Hrenyk, who works with Animikii Indigenous Technology.
“The hearings don’t start until later this year. With [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] last year, the Women’s March and all the activism going on all over the world, it makes today’s event a lot bigger.”