A conference that focuses on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called “The Power of Her Story,” is happening in La Ronge.
The conference is to bring awareness to the communities about the high rates of MMIWG in Saskatchewan. Piwapan Wellness Centre is hosting it, trying to help make youth and community members aware of the risks and to share support.
The conference kicked off on Sunday with an awareness walk and followed with two days of in-person dialogue.
The conference consists of sharing stories from families of MMIWG and sharing of supports and networks.
Regina and Carson Poitras, parents of Happy Charles who went missing in 2017, discussed their experience of having a missing family member.
Brian Gallagher, father of Megan Gallagher who was murdered in 2020, shared his experience of dealing with pending court cases in his daughter’s case.
Gladys and Willie Billette, parents of Sheena Billette who was murdered in 2019, spoke of what they are going through with the court’s sentencing for Sheena’s case.
“They are letting everyone know that the families are not alone; that the families have supports and that there are community members who are here to help and who are here to work with them anyway we can and to connect their stories to our communities to raise more awareness,” Karen Sanderson, Executive Director of Piwapan Wellness Centre.
The Conference concludes Tuesday.