Family members of Timothy Charlette at last summer’s Honouring Our Brothers and Sisters Memorial Walk. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
The trauma of losing a loved one is not lost on the Prince Albert Grand Council and Regina Treaty Status Indian Services, which is why they’re hosting a Wednesday gathering for family members of those who have gone missing or been killed.
“We hear from families about how important it is to get together and talk to one another. Most of them are facing the same situation with their families and their missing children of brothers and sisters,” said organizer Shirley Henderson, who works for PAGC’s Women’s Commission.
The idea came from RTSIS member Erica Beaudin, and Henderson said they recognize the need for support is especially strong in northern Saskatchewan.
“In the north it’s not as easy as it is in the city where all kinds of services are provided. We don’t have a whole lot of services for northern communities or the northern people,” she said.
The event is timely, with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls coming up in September.
Henderson said there will be a Skype availability from someone with the Inquiry to give an update, and a member of FSIN will be taking registration for the upcoming Inquiry.
The presentations on grief, trauma, and self-care will all be held at Prince Albert’s Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gym on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Henderson added that people don’t have to be directly related to a victim to attend.
Those who can’t be there in person can watch a live stream on Facebook.