Cheam First Nation is organizing a two-kilometre march in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirits across the country.
“We are honouring our most sacred resource, our life-givers, our matriarchs. We are remembering all of the loved ones that we’ve lost with our commemoration on this day,” said Cheam chief Darwin Douglas.
The MMIWG2S+ March is set for May 5 starting at 10 a.m. on Highway 9, as shown on the attached map, travelling to Cheam beach on the Fraser River for speeches and a light lunch.
They have chosen to highlight the issue of missing and murdered, Indigenous women and they are asking for support from the community in honouring them.
”Please join us on this important day,” Chief Douglas said in the release April 26.
One side of the highway will be open to single-lane alternating traffic between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. with increased traffic expected for the entire day of the event. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways, RCMP and 604 Traffic Control have been notified for everyone’s safety.
According to the The National Inquiry into MMIW’s Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, Indigenous women and girls are 16 times more likely to be murdered or to disappear than non-Indigenous. The report contains more than 200 calls for justice, and suggested societal changes to end the crisis.
See updates on the Cheam Facebook event page. Marchers encouraged to bring their drums, and rattles.
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