Missing and murdered indigenous women remembered in Norman Wells
Community holds Sisters in Spirit walk and vigil to remember those they've lost
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, October 19, 2015
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
A relatively small but determined group of marchers walked in solidarity for missing and murdered indigenous women in Norman Wells earlier this month.
Gloria Mackeinzo, left, and Sommer Wiley carry signs honouring missing and murdered indigenous women during the Sisters in Spirit march in Norman Wells on Oct. 5. About 15 people, men and women, walked in solidarity to remember the victims and talked about why more isn't being done to protect indigenous females in Canada. - photo courtesy of Sheryl Yakeleya |
About 15 men and women marched in the Sisters in Spirit walk on Oct. 5. The walk was organized by Sheryl Yakeleya, wellness program co-ordinator in Norman Wells.
"People wanted to be involved to honour the ladies and remember, that's what they talked about," Yakeleya said.
"I've talked to some people about the fact there is no inquest into missing and murdered indigenous people planned and some people are very disappointed in that."
Yakeleya said the political side of the issue was not at the forefront of the walk. She said that the event was much more oriented to those who have been killed or who are missing.
However, Yakeleya said she does not agree with those people, including Conservative leader Stephen Harper, who say the disproportionate number of missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada is strictly a crime issue not a social and cultural one.
"It has a lot to do with residential schools, the policies. There is much more to it than just a crime," Yakeleya said. "I think they should find out why this is happening and how they could better do things in the future that would help people. They should look into it."
The people who came out for the event were happy to take part in the walk - they were thinking about the women. They were walking and talking about why these things happen, she said.
Among the women being remembered were Mariella Lennie from Tulita. She was only 17 when her body was found floating near Con Mine in Yellowknife in 1991. Her homicide has never been solved. Also honoured was Leona Brule who went missing from Fort Providence in 1989; Charlotte Lafferty, a mother of three young children who was the victim of a homicide in Fort Good Hope in 2014; Mary Rose Keadjuk, missing from Yellowknife since 1990 and Charlene Catholique of Lutsel K'e, who was only 15 when she disappeared in 1990.
According to RCMP spokesperson Elenore Sturko, there are currently four unsolved homicides involving indigenous women and eight missing persons cases involving indigenous women where foul play is suspected in their disappearance in the Northwest Territories.
