WATCH ABOVE: A walk honouring the missing and murdered loved ones in Canada made a stop in Edmonton this weekend. Jessica Kent has the story.
EDMONTON — They’re walking 2,830 kilometres to honour the missing and murdered people in Canada and this weekend they made a stop in Edmonton.
“Something needs to be done,” said Althea Guiboche, a walker from Winnipeg. “We need answers, we need action, we need changes – positive changes for all the families, for all the victims.”
Guiboche is one of seven people who began the gruelling journey from Norway House, MB to Price Rupert, B.C. on July 18. Walking upwards of 12 hours and 150 kilometres per day, Guiboche said it is her responsibility to raise awareness of the issue for those who no longer can. And not just women—men and children too.
“We all have power in our own selves to advocate for these lost loved ones—missing, murdered—the ones who no longer have a voice,” she said Sunday.
The walk is meant to honour all of the missing loved ones in Canada, but will make a poignant stop along the Highway of Tears in B.C. The 720-kilometre stretch of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert in northern B.C. has become known as the Highway of Tears for the disappearances and unsolved murders of dozens of young women.
“Aboriginal women in society seem to be an easy target, an easy prey. Nobody misses them,” said Marcel Desjarlais, a walker from High Prairie. “Regardless of their circumstances in life, if they go missing society doesn’t miss them. Their families do.
“It’s an unfortunate reality in society.”
READ MORE: A list of the victims along B.C.’s Highway of Tears
As the walkers arrived in Edmonton this weekend they were met by a group of people offering to take over for the day Sunday while they got some much-needed rest. Desjarlais was one of them.
“I know people that are on this list of missing and murdered women personally so I want to contribute. I want to help out the best I can,” he said.
Desjarlais said his niece was killed a few years ago, his brother’s daughter was killed three years ago, and his friend’s sister is missing.
A powwow was held Saturday night and raised $1,600 for the group to help pay for gas, hotel stays and new shoes. The walkers have a couple of vehicles driving alongside them for safety.
Those taking part in the walk are asking everyone to get involved, whether it be by joining in part of the walk or simply sharing the message on social media.
“There’s a saying that says it takes a community to raise a child,” said Desjarlais. “And that’s so true. The community needs to come together.”
This is the seventh walk of its kind the group has held. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Comments