Despite the rain, Verna Wallace slowly walked up the stage at Simms Park to share her story in front of a quiet and attentive crowd on Sunday (May 5).
“My sister has been missing since 1971,” said Wallace. “I was away from home and I got a letter telling me that she had been missing… I would sleep on my patio every night hoping I would hear her calling me. I did that for six months.
“My sister was pregnant when she was murdered… that really broke my heart. I love and miss (her) so much. My mom and dad are gone, so I think they are together now. I think they are gathering up there and I hope they’re looking down on us. (Today) we’re walking with our missing and murdered sisters and Two Spirit people.”
Wallace was one of three survivors who addressed a large audience as a part of Red Dress Day, held in Courtenay’s Simms Park, which takes place every year on May 5 to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S).
Organized by two local Indigenous organizations – MIKI’SIW Métis Association and the Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society – the event included educational tables, a drumming circle, an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. and a walk at 2 p.m.
Ceremony at the K’ómoks First Nation
Earlier in the day, K’ómoks First Nation elder Donna Mitchell extended an invitation to community members, encouraging them to share their stories.
“Everybody knows somebody who was (murdered or gone) missing,” Mitchell said. “Nobody learns about what has happened (and) there’s so much prejudice in our community.
“I want us to come together as one… I (want) more people to come out to share their stories.”
At 11 a.m. on 3320 Comox Rd., a small group of people gathered and sat in a circle to partake in ceremonial dance and songs, share personal experiences and connect with other members.
In the crowd were sisters Melanie Hardy and Violet Williams, who said they found Mitchell’s event to be deeply cathartic.
“We come here to honour several family members. Most important to us is our mother, Abina (Angela Williams), who we lost when we were very young,” Hardy said. “She was murdered when I was three years old and the case was not taken seriously. Here we are, 23 years later with no answers. Her case is still unsolved.
“We were told many excuses, (one of them being) that she was gone on vacation, (but) she had three little girls at home waiting for her, and we’re still waiting.”
Believing in the importance of spreading awareness of the crisis of Indigenous MMIWG2S is paramount to moving things forward in a good direction, believes Hardy.
“For many years I was really nervous to come out and share this trauma, but I’ve become a mother in the last few years and it’s really opened up how important it is to spread awareness,” she said. “What if it was my daughter who was going through this?”
Red Dress Day
The red dress movement was inspired by Metis artist James Black’s REDress Project, which has come to symbolize loss, grief and injustice over the murder and ongoing violence against MMIWG2S.
The day also serves as a reminder in communities across the country to end violence against Indigenous and gender-diverse people.
“The red dress has become a symbol of loss for those who have been taken too soon, and a call to end violence,” said Kelli Paddon, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for gender equity in a statement.
“From 2009 to 2021, 490 Indigenous women and girls were victims of homicide in Canada. In this time frame, the rate of homicide of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women and girls was six times higher than the rate among their non-Indigenous counterparts. In Canada, Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other women.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of distress, don’t hesitate to reach out to services available 24/7/365:
Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous centred): 1-855-242-3310
Crisis Services Canada: (Canada-wide) 9-8-8
National Family and Survivors Circle: 1-844-413-6649
- With files from Erin Haluschak