For the 26th year, people marched through the Downtown Eastside for the annual Women’s Memorial March to remember aboriginal women who have died or gone missing.
“We have a horrendous history that we still live with today. Women and girls need to be protected and taken care of in the community,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Wearing their traditional clothing, aboriginal women beat drums and sang as the protest began just after noon at Main Street and Hastings Street.
For years, the march has focused on the call for a public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. Now, with the new Liberal government committing to an inquiry, attention is turning to how it will be conducted.
READ MORE: Liberals launch first phase of inquiry into missing, murdered indigenous women
“Family members have ensured that awareness continues to be raised, and our government is fundamentally committed to working with the families, working with organizations to make sure we put forward an inquiry that is reflective of what the families are asking for,” said Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould, who attended the Vancouver rally for the seventh time.
“It’s a national tragedy. More people come out to these marches every year…we can and must do better. I’m just here to remember and honour the women and girls who are murdered and missing and collectively put forwards solutions to an inquiry to make sure this tragedy stops.
Similar events were also held in several other Canadian cities this weekend.
Comments