Thousands marched through the streets of Vancouver on Friday in the annual Women’s Memorial March commemorating missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The march was first held in 1992 after an Indigenous woman, Cheryl Ann Joe, was found murdered on Powell Street at the age of 26.
Since then, thousands of people have taken to the streets in memory of Indigenous women and girls who have suffered similar fates or have gone missing, as well as to show support for their families.
Carol Martin, who is on the memorial march committee, was at the meeting where the idea to create a memorial march was pitched. Thirty-four years later, she is still marching and spreading awareness.
Martin says that the march was chosen to be on Valentine’s Day because it is a worldwide day of love.
“The march is to honour and commemorate the lives of women and all who identify as women . . . we are not about division here,” she said.
The yellow and lilac pin on the march poster and physical pins that are given to participants at the march represent hope and healing, said Martin.
Participants stop during the march to place traditional medicines, such as tobacco and cedar, down onto the places where women were found to honour their memory and to bless the places where they were found.
Some of those in the procession have travelled from as far as Saskatchewan to participate.
Chief Lee-Anne Kehler from Kawacatoose First Nation in Saskatchewan attended the march with Diamond Poorman, Chelsea Poorman’s sister.
Chelsea Poorman went missing one month after moving to Vancouver in 2020. Her remains were found in 2022 outside a vacant mansion in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood, a year and a half after she was reported missing.
“We love our people. We love our family members. Everybody no matter what walk of life they come from, they’re loved by somebody. I think that’s important to emphasize on Valentine’s Day,” said Kehler.
“We’re strong and resilient, and we won’t be going anywhere,” said Poorman.
Another participant, Nicole Brown, marched in search of her mother, Frances Brown, who is currently missing. Brown went missing on Oct. 4, 2017, just outside of Smithers in northern B.C.
The case is still open, and Nicole is encouraging anyone with information about her mother’s case to come forward to law enforcement.
“I feel very supported, very seen and loved, and I think it’s great that we come together and share the same grief. We are a community today,” said Brown.
“I still hold grief, but days like today, I still have a lot of hope.”
The Women’s Memorial March is led by a committee of Indigenous women and says everyone is welcome to participate each year on Feb. 14.
