More than 200 women, men and children walked through snowy Winnipeg streets at the Women’s Memorial March on Sunday.
Drumming to begin 9th annual #MMIW walk in Winnipeg. At least 100 walking. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/CPclQlY94I
— Meghan Roberts (@MeghanCTV) February 14, 2016
The annual event began 26 years ago in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. It now happens across Canada and in two American cities, Minneapolis and Duluth.
“For me, it’s about remembering, never forgetting anybody,” said marcher Lisa Makwebak.
RCMP estimate that almost 1,200 indigenous women were murdered or went missing between 1980 and 2012.
Five members of Sue Caribou’s family were murdered, and her niece Tanya Nepinak is still missing.
“Been a long journey for me since 1972 to 2016 with no justice,” said Caribou. “I’ve been living this life my whole life.”
About 200 walk holding signs for Tina Fontaine, Jennifer Catcheway, Amber Guiboche & the other 1200 #MMIW #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/NL4QDKjdP1
— Meghan Roberts (@MeghanCTV) February 14, 2016
For years, victims’ families asked for an inquiry into the disproportionately high number of missing and murdered indigenous women. That wish was granted by the current federal government, and preparations are underway.
“Where we are today is fundamentally a result of all the work of families for the last 30 years,” said Nahanni Fontaine, Manitoba’s special advisor on aboriginal women's issues.
Victims’ families are invited to attend pre-inquiry meetings across Canada. The closed-door consultations will help design what the national inquiry will look like.
People who cannot attend a meeting are also invited to fill out a survey online.