A ceremony recognizing the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people in Canada took place in Pitt Meadows on Sunday.
Around 80 people assembled in Spirit Square on May 5, including: city councilors Mike Manion, Gwen O’Connell, Mike Hayes, Alison Evans, and Tracy Elke; members of City staff; members of Katzie First Nation; members of Golden Ears Metis Society; members of Fraser River Indigenous Society; the MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Lisa Beare, and school board trustee, Katie Sullivan.
Also known as Red Dress Day, after a project by Metis artist Jaime Black where empty red dresses were displayed in honour and as a visual reminder of the sheer numbers of Indigenous women who have died – red dresses were also hung from trees in the square.
Deputy Mayor and City Councillor Manion opened the event, while Katzie First Nation elder Coleen Pierre performed the official welcome and blessing.
Danica Berard performed a Red River Jig, and Jane Wylie performed a Haida and Scottish hoop and jingle dance.
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Katzie First Nation’s Coleen Pierre, her daughter Mavis Pierre, and Francine Sylvester performed the Women’s Warrior Song, before leading the public on a community walk with drumming and rattles.
The ceremony, remarked City of Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald, honours and remembers the many who have lost their lives to violence and recognizes their families and communities that live with the grief of losing loved ones.
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An original art piece created by Katzie First Nation artist Rain Pierre will be showcased in the lobby of city hall as a tribute to those who have been lost, embodying the beauty of the Indigenous people throughout the month of May.
