‘This needs to change’: First Nations demanding justice in missing women cases

There’s been no closure for the families of five missing women who vanished from the north Okanagan in the last 20 months, with no word on what may have happened to them.

First Nations are renewing their call for justice after human remains were discovered on a rural farm near Salmon Arm on Saturday.

“We have gathered together several times over the week to support the women and girls who have been reported missing in our area and to let their families know that support them through these difficult times,” Neskonlith Indian Band chief Judy Wilson said in a news release.

“The RCMP have a role and our message is justice is needed for all women and girls. Too many times it’s a slap on the wrist with no justice. This needs to change.”

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Police, however, say it is too soon to link the remains to any of the missing women cases in the area.

READ MORE: No link yet between missing women, remains found on Salmon Arm-area farm: RCMP

No charges have been laid in connection with the discovery of the remains and police aren’t releasing any details on a potential suspect.

READ MORE: RCMP expand search after human remains found on rural north Okanagan property

First Nations have held a candlelit vigil and organized rallies in the north Okanagan.

A member of the Adams Lake First Nation also came to the farm site to perform a tobacco ceremony and a prayer on Wednesday.

RCMP aren’t releasing any further details on the search of the property, saying the site is under a warrant sealed by the courts.

The remains have yet to be identified and RCMP have not revealed whether they belong to one or more than one victim.