Calgarians march to honour missing, murdered Indigenous women

Dozens braved the cold for the 17th annual Valentine’s Day Memorial March Friday, honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+) lost to violence.

Beginning at the Scarboro United Church Friday evening, marchers carried silhouettes and frames, paying tribute to lives lost and the families left searching for justice.

“As we are carrying each and every one of those frames or those silhouettes, in the beginning, it doesn’t seem so difficult, but the longer you go and the further you walk, the heavier they become,” said Chantal Chagnon, the coordinator for the march.

“It’s the weight, the burden, that has been on those families’ shoulders for so long.”

The march is a nationwide movement to remember those who have been murdered or disappeared and continue to be extorted. It is also meant to draw attention to the disproportionate numbers of MMIWG2S+ that have been lost.

According to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women.

“I was abducted when I was 12. This is why I’ve come so far to help. I’m going to tell you, it’s been a struggle, it’s been everyday thinking, planning on my own,” said Elder Cynthia Hunter.

Additionally, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) says Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence and just over 13 per cent of Indigenous people experience violence from their current or ex-partner, a proportion twice as high as non-Indigenous people at 5.7 per cent.

While the march raises awareness, advocates stress the need for concrete action to address the crisis of MMIWG2S+.

“Racism against Indigenous people is totally unacceptable,” said Michelle Robinson. who spoke at the march. “We have solutions, we have the 231 Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry.”

“Please start doing that action within your organizations, your churches, your sports clubs–whatever that looks like–so those 231 calls to justice are fully realized.”