(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Honouring our women

Importance of family and safety highlighted during women’s walk

Mar 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Nearly two dozen men, women and children took part in a special walk Monday in Prince Albert, that helped raise awareness about some of the challenges facing women in today’s day and age.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the event was organized by Metis Nation Saskatchewan-Western Region Two. Director Sherry McLennan told paNOW women today have a number of roles and the walk represented her way of making sure women were recognized, particularly elders who have been forced to isolate away from their families as a result of COVID-19.

“We want to be able to reach out to them somehow and just to honour them and the women that came before us and thank them for being a part of our lives and teaching us to carry on the traditions and the roles of women today,” McLennan said.

Alisha Shier was walking with her two year old daughter, and said it’s her hope that when her daughter grows up, there won’t be so many missing women.

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“Back in the day, I could walk around and not gave to worry, but now she can’t,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Kelsey Harris also took part in Monday’s walk and said she would like to see more supports in place for women who want to start their own business or enter the workforce.

“To show them they are capable and they can do things out there by themselves,” she said. “Women are strong.”

Leading the walk and holding a MN-S flag, was Limitless Gear owner Cody Demerais. He told paNOW he was very proud to walk alongside the women.

“I was raised by a single mother for most of my life. I deeply believe women go through many other unfair obstacles. I believe women are powerful and should be recognized,” he said.

The Prince Albert Police Service also helped provide an escort as the group made their way through the city’s downtown area.

Prince Albert Women’s Hall of Fame

A small gathering was also held at Prince Albert City Hall Monday, as the latest inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame, was formally inducted.

Mayor Greg Dionne stands with Marjorie Bodnarchuk. (Submitted photo)

Marjorie Bodnarchuk’s reach into the community stretches deep and she has shared her love of music by sitting on the Prince Albert Music Festival Association Committee. She has also been involved with the Prince Albert Girls’ Choir Parents Association, and has been a board of directors member of Dance Saskatchewan and Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dancers.

FSIN celebrates women

Later in the day the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) noted it had been just over 50 years since First Nations women were granted the right to vote.

“First Nations women have since become elected leaders, doctors, lawyers, judges, academics and CEO’s to name a few,” Vice Chief Heather Bear said, in part, in a media release.

Women in Canada fought and won the right to vote for the first time in 1921 but First Nations women were not granted the right to vote until 1960 – almost 30 years later. First Nations women in Canada face greater challenges and barriers to success because of systemic racism and sexism. Examples include a lack of equity in employment, pay equity, discrimination against mothers in the workplace and a lack of equal representation in elected positions.

“We are truly proud of all the women that we have had the privilege to work with over the years. They have opened so many doors for the next generation of women and we must all celebrate and lift up our women as the matriarchs of our families and communities,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said, in part, in the media release.

Editor’s note: this story was amended to add comment from FSIN and City Hall.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell