Lethbridge takes part in national Women’s Memorial March for missing and murdered Indigenous women

Several signs showing support for the MMIWG2S+ in Canada on February 14, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

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Lethbridge’s community organizer, Tseten Drawu said that even after 30 years of marching nationally for justice, women continue to go missing.

Drawu explained, “The interesting thing is nothing has really changed. When it comes to Indigenous women, Indigenous men, these populations, when they come out and say, ‘Hey our family members are missing,’ they don’t go disappearing for no reason, they show up, but nobody is listening. Still to this day, still this is happening.”

There are only 1,724 confirmed deaths, but the actual numbers are believed to be estimated at over 4,000 according to the National Inquiry of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“Today, as you can see the people behind me, we’re here to go downtown to let people know that these women, these people, these humans, their lives matter,” added Drawu.

The City of Lethbridge also recognized the estimated number of Indigenous women and girls missing by placing 4,000 red flags on the grounds in front of City Hall.

Nearly 4,000 flags placed outside of Lethbridge City Hall to honour MMIWG2S+ on February 14, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

In 2015, The City of Lethbridge implemented a work plan that included 25 recommendations and a series of projects directed at addressing social, economic, cultural, and institutional barriers facing Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples.

In 2021, Lethbridge City Council also proclaimed October 4 as ‘Sisters in Spirit Day’ to recognize and raise awareness of the violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls across the nation.

Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse, the Indigenous relations advisor with the City of Lethbridge, said that events like these can create awareness and information for community members to understand how they can take action.

“In terms of people questioning what your role can be, I just want to highlight, if ever there’s a time to question what your experience would be, losing a loved one and there being no explanation, no solving, and them not returning after school or work. I don’t want to desensitize the community about what that might feel like. I don’t want anybody to feel what that feels like,” she said.

“So, if you can make that connection with empathizing and understanding what many of the families are experiencing, the huge percentage of loss in unsolved Indigenous women’s murders across Canada. Then it might spark something in you to be compassionate, empathetic or also just patient in understanding what much of the trauma these families are experiencing,” explained Bruised Head-Mountain Horse.

She went on, “That’s the primary concern, is the intergenerational trauma that many of our Indigenous children and families are experiencing, and what the future impacts will be. But, I know locally we are taking steps to ensure that we’re minimizing that traumatic experience and the frequency of incidents happening, discrimination, racism, here in the City of Lethbridge, and we invite all of you to be a part of keeping that mission going here for the city.”

The Women’s Memorial March kicked off just after 12:00 p.m. on February 14, 2023, and walked down 4th Avenue South in Lethbridge. (Photo: LNN)

Bruised Head-Mountain Horse concluded by encouraging people who are interested in learning more to access national websites like the Women’s Memorial March, National Inquiry of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Amnesty International.

Those who missed the march on February 14, 2023, can stroll through the Lethbridge Nature Reserve to immerse themselves in the Women’s Memorial March ArtWalk.

The ArtWalk includes displays from local artists sharing perspectives of lives lost due to violence, along with Jaime Black’s REDress Project.

The ArtWalk will be on display from February 14 until March 14, 2023, starting from the Helen Schuler Nature Centre parking lot, and going north along the Coalbanks Trail.

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by Sarah Jones