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* Photos by Analyn Cuarto

Thousands attend annual memorial march

> A day of remembrance to pay respects to lives lost, missing

Katie Czenczek
Staff Writer

 

For many people, Valentine’s Day is not
a day to give chocolates and roses to
their loved ones. Instead, many choose
to walk in honour of those who do not
have voices to speak up for themselves.

Thousands came to East Hastings
Street and Main Street on February 14
to participate in an annual vigil held for
missing and murdered Indigenous women
in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). This
tradition has been going on for 27 years,
after a woman was murdered on Powell
Street in 1991. Since the first march,
people across Canada have held their own
city-specific marches honouring missing
and murdered Indigenous women.

The vigil started off in the Carnegie
Community Centre Theatre, where family
and community members of the victims
gathered to pay their respects to those

who have passed on or are still missing.
From there, a prayer circle was held in
the middle of the intersection while
drums were played, tobacco was burnt,
and pamphlets were handed out listing
the names of missing and murdered
Indigenous women from the DTES.

One of the speakers at the memorial
march was clear to state that the
march was nota protest, but rather
in remembrance of the women.

“Today is not a protest, it is a vigil,”
the speaker said. “Since the first ship
landed, [Indigenous] women have
gone missing and murdered. We gather
here today to remember them and
honour our ancestors because these
issues have always disproportionately
affect[ed] Indigenous women.”

After the speeches were over, the
march began as participants stopped
at the locations where women were
last seen throughout the DTES.

Mayor Gregor Robertson participated

in the Memorial March, and in an
interview with the Other Press he
discussed what it means to him to have
people take action in Vancouver.

“Vancouver has a very troubled
history and we need to reconcile [with
Indigenous people],” he said. “Today is
about acknowledging the trauma and
violence against Indigenous women
and girls. It’s a very powerful day in
Vancouver every year, and it’s great
to see huge numbers this year.”

When asked what steps the municipal
government is taking to prevent violence
against Indigenous women, Robertson
highlighted some of the plans his
government has in store for the future.

“The Vancouver Police Department
are involved and supportive of the
inquiry into [cases involving missing
and murdered Indigenous women] and
the city is opening an Urban Native
Welcome House for the women and
girls affected by violence,” he said.

Robertson did not elaborate on plans
for the Urban Native Welcome House.

Sadie Schwenneker, a Simon Fraser
University (SFU) student at the memorial
walk, explained why she thought
Indigenous women disproportionately
go missing and murdered in the DTES.

“Unfortunately, [people who live
in the DTES] aren't seen as important
members of society, and Indigenous
women tend to make up a large
population of this area,” she said. “So,
it’s easier for them to be targeted and be
overlooked when they do go missing.”

Nancy Breedveld, also a student
from SFU who marched, said in an
interview with the Other Press why
the march was important to her.

“There’s such a lack of awareness
about the issues [that Indigenous women]
face,” she said. “So, it’s just important
to participate and lift up the families
[of the victims]. That’s how you can
do your part as a settler in Canada.”