A Day For the Families

Hundreds gather at the U of W to remember manitoba’s missing and murdered

Photos by Mike Sudoma

It was an afternoon of sharing, comfort and remembrance as nearly 300 people gathered at the University of Winnipeg for the eighth annual Women’s Memorial March of Manitoba for All Missing and Murdered.

On Sat., Feb. 14 marchers gathered in the Bulman Student Centre for an opening prayer and acknowledgements before taking to the streets, marching down Ellice Ave. to Colony St. and down Portage Ave. to the University to raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Many family members and friends of the missing and murdered were in attendance, carrying signs decorated with flowers and photos of their loved ones. Marchers wore paper butterflies with the names of those missing and murdered as a sign of remembrance.

Also in attendance were a number of local policy makers including Premier Greg Selinger, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre Pat Martin, city councillor Ross Eadie and Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman.

Following the march, participants moved indoors where they heard presentations from Bernadette Smith, Alaya McIvor, Nahanni Fontaine and others.

“We really want this to be for the families,” Lisa Parker, chair of the Women’s Memorial March, told the crowd. “This today, is the one day that we have set aside for family, and I say miigwetch to all of you for coming to support the families.”

The event was held in conjunction with the 25th Annual National Memorial Marches held in cities across Canada.

-Staff

Credit: Danielle Da Silva

Credit: Danielle Da Silva

Credit: Danielle Da Silva

Published in Volume 69, Number 21 of The Uniter (February 18, 2015)

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