A Saskatoon woman is being recognized for her work to help victims of crime.
Faith Bosse has been awarded the Excellence in Volunteer Victim Service Award as part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2020.
Bosse volunteers with Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together). The organization works to support the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She said the recognition did catch her by surprise.
“It feels pretty good, I wasn’t expecting to be nominated for it,” she said.
In a release on the Victims and Survivors of Crime Week website the national organizing committee for the week explained Bosse’s work with survivors has helped to empower and inspire, while also helping to achieve change. During her time with Women Walking Together Bosse has been involved in a range of activities including leading youth gatherings. She explained she is in the early stages of setting something up to help younger people who have been affected by violent crime.
“Just support for other ages as well, just to be closer together,” she said.
Bosse and her family first got in touch with Women Walking Together when Bosse’s mother, Daleen Bosse-Muskego, who was originally from Onion Lake Cree Nation, went missing in 2004. Faith was only three years old when her mother disappeared. Bosse-Muskego’s body was found four years after she went missing. Eventually a man was arrested and convicted of her murder. Women Walking Together helped Bosse’s grandmother by providing her support.
“When I became of age and knowing, was aware of what was happening I wanted to be involved,” said Bosse.
Originally Bosse got involved by taking part in walks for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She eventually started speaking at events about what it was like growing up without her mother.
Currently Bosse, who is 19, is working to finish up high school. Then afterwards she is considering a couple of potential careers.
“I’ve really wanted to get into nursing, but lately I want to get into, maybe social work,” she said.
(Photo: Faith Bosse with her son. Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2020)