Members of the PAGC, RCMP and Prince Albert City Police gather in a circle to pay respects to missing and murdered Indigenous women. Photo by Travis Radke.
Communities across Canada — including several in Saskatchewan — gathered today for Sisters in Spirit events to pay respects to the women who went missing and were found murdered or never found at all.
In Prince Albert, city police and RCMP paid their respects with the Prince Alberg Grand Council at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre.
“Its a community problem and the police are a big part of this community,” says Prince Albert City Police Sergeant Travis Willie. “We need to be involved with the families and friends (of missing women).”
A prayer was said before a moment of silence in honour of missing women in Prince Albert and surrounding communities. The event also served as a show of support for those affected the growing numbers of vanishing Indigenous women.
“Missing persons affects police officers, as well. We put many hours into these investigations,” says RCMP Inspector Roberta McKale. ” We put our hearts and souls into these investigations, we turn over every stone trying to find people.”
Members of the PAGC were very pleased with this year’s turnout.
“We have a great group who have come together in the friendship centre,” says PAGC Special Events Coordinator Sheryl Kimbley. “City police and RCMP are on board and we’re really happy to all be here supporting each other.”
Community members at 2017 Sisters in Spirit event in La Ronge. Photo by Abel Charles.
Meanwhile, in La Ronge, a vigil was held just one day after the six-month anniversary of the disappearance of Happy Charles. She is an Indigenous woman from La Ronge who went missing during a trip to Prince Albert in April.
“Happy’s daughters came out today and did some drumming and the closing remarks for us,” says Karen Sanderson with the Piwapan Women’s Centre. “We’re trying to raise awareness on missing and murdered Indigenous girls across Canada… We want to let people know that this is a national tragedy and that we are still fighting for these missing girls.”
The RCMP reports that there are currently 35 open investigations into missing women in Saskatchewan.