On Valentine's Day, about 50 people marched through downtown Maple Ridge, then held a healing circle, to remember and bring attention to murdered and missing Indigenous women in B.C. and across Canada.
It was the 11th year for the Memorial March in Maple Ridge.
Organizer Yvonne Desabrais spoke about how her mother Irene's was abducted, and although she was able to return alive, she was not unharmed.
"My mom was more than what happened to her, and so I offer this opportunity for anyone and everyone to share the names of those they love, or those that they're thinking of... and say their name," Desabrais told the marchers. "Remember something that pertains to who they were as a person, and honour them, and celebrate them. This is why I do this."
She explained that a smoking stick of sage is held up at the front of the procession during the march.
"For me, that's my way, putting the smoke up to the sky, and send that energy out there to bring our people home."
Colleen Pierre of the Katzie First Nation thanked Desabrais for her work on the event, and she talked about comforting those who have lost loved ones.
"All we can do is hope and pray that some day our sisters will be home," she said.
Some of those who came to support the event had traditional First Nations drums, and played and sang as they walked the blocks around the downtown park. Some dressed in First Nations traditional garb, many wore red.
Some had a red hand print "painted" across their mouths, in a symbol that shows solidarity with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in North America – who are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence, according ot the Assembly of First Nations.
The march coincides with the Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver which has been taking place since 1992.
“Today, hundreds of people will come together on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to honour and advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and trans people," said Premier David Eby in a statement. "They will walk through the streets, pausing where the missing and murdered were last seen or found. They will remember, mourn and call for an end to racism, inequity and gender-based violence."
He said the provincial government is taking action to end the crisis.
“It is fitting that the Women’s Memorial March is on Valentine’s Day. Everyone we have lost was deeply loved by their family, friends and community. In memory of all missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and trans people, we recommit to ending racism and gender-based violence so everyone in B.C. can enjoy a lifetime of love without the risk of being harmed just because of who they are.”
