Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Family of murdered woman walks 140 kms in her memory

Jan 27, 2015 | 5:49 PM

The family of a murdered aboriginal woman, Monica Burns, is making a 48-hour journey along Highway 11 in her memory.

Half a dozen ventured out of Saskatoon Tuesday morning heading towards Prince Albert; Burns’ home city. The idea came from her brother, Pernell Ballantyne, following a conversation about his loss with a friend.

“I have to do this… I gotta do this,” he said, just north of Osler.

The group takes turns walking northbound on the edge of the pavement. Tailing them is a grey minivan with a deep-red “in memory of Monica” sign on the side.

Burns, 28, was found murdered on a snowmobile trail just north of Prince Albert on Jan. 17. She was a mother to a young girl. Her murder is still not solved.

Ballantyne’s partner Dionne Ducette said this week’s journey is a “positive outlet for healing”.

“We’re leaving our negativity, our pain, by each step we take … each step behind us it’s going to leave us, and we’re looking for a brighter future,” she said.

The group plans to reach Prince Albert by Thursday afternoon. Once there, they will be joined by more supporters who will complete the walk’s final leg from city hall to the local Aboriginal Affairs office.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow