Marchers takes to the streets of North Battleford for the MMIW walk Wednesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Community walk

Walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women raises awareness of ‘Stolen Sisters’

Jun 4, 2024 | 1:55 PM

A group of dedicated supporters came out for the Walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman (MMIW) in North Battleford today.

The event was organized by the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) during Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

Battlefords MMIW advocate Krista Fox said it’s important to keep raising awareness of all the Indigenous women and girls who never came home.

Fox said the event helps “give our missing and murdered sisters a voice.”

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The family of missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin also took part. Morin, 31, of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, was last seen on July 10, 2018. RCMP said in July 2019, a year after their investigation, they believe Morin was the victim of a homicide.

“Near and dear to our hearts and especially to mine is that we are still missing Ashley Morin,” Fox said. “We have yet to bring her home or find those responsible for her taking. We’re not giving up. That’s why we keep showing up.”

Fox said the posters walkers carried represent many of the missing and murdered women from across Canada.

“It’s very important to continue to bring awareness [of the tragedy],” she said.

Gatherers at the walk today. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

BASAC Executive Director Amber Stewart said people in her work see the connection between interpersonal violence and the MMIW crisis.

“We know that Indigenous women are four times more likely than non Indigenous women to be victims of violence,” she said. “They make up 16 per cent of all female homicides and 11 per cent of missing women, yet Indigenous people make up only 4.3 per cent of the population [in Canada].”

Stewart noted Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience violence from their current or former partner, and are more likely to experience sexual assault than non Indigenous women.

“We hold this walk today to remember the women who have been taken, to hold space for their families, and support their search for justice for their loved ones.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow