Page 12— Ha-Shilth-Sa—May 20, 2021
Red Dress Day marked in solemn ceremony May 5 gathering was one of many in Canada recognizing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Sutton Pass, BC – A carved wooden sign at Sutton Pass summit marks the entrance to Tla-o-qui-aht territory. That is where a small group of people gathered to remember Nuu-chah-nulth loved ones that are missing or were murdered in an event organized by Nora Martin of Tla-oqui-aht. May 5 is recognized across Canada as a national day of awareness for missing and/or murdered Indigenous women and girls. Also known as Red Dress Day, individuals across the country hang red dresses in highly visible places to draw attention to the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and two-spirit individuals in Canada. On May 5 Aboriginal groups and their supporters across Canada are promoting awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has documented 582 cases since the 1960s, but says there are likely many more. The people of Tla-o-qui-aht remember eight of their members that are missing or were murdered in recent years. “That is a lot for our nation,” said organizer, Nora Martin. Martin is a health liaison worker for her nation, but she also volunteers her time to support grieving community members, organizing public events like the red dress gathering that took place on Sutton Pass on the morning of May 5. When she began planning the event more than three weeks earlier she wasn’t aware that the road would be closed for the day due to a highway construction project. That meant that there was no passing traffic to see the colourful signs and dresses that were on display. But it made for a quiet and solemn event as family remembered their loved ones taken too soon. A brisk mountain breeze kept the red dresses, hung in trees, fluttering above a bed of wild bleeding-hearts. A cleansing ceremony and prayer was performed by Josie Johnston and her son before John Lucas offered a prayer. It
Photo by Denises Titian
The May 5 gathering by Highway 4 at Sutton Pass was one of many held across Canada in recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. was Lucas’ step son, Julian Jones, that “Our people are angry…frustrated,” said nobody cares no matter what we do,” said was shot by police at his family home in Martin. Martin. Opitsaht earlier this year. She said TFN elder Rose Tom lost her Of the police shooting death of Julian Following the highway-side ceremony, son several years ago in Tofino’s RCMP Jones in Opitsaht earlier this year, Martin rd the event was moved to Port Alberni’s 3 cells. Back then, recommendations were said people are now afraid to call the poAvenue, where the people marched with made to prevent things like that from lice. She said people now feel fear when their banners, signs and red dresses. Mar- happening again but, according to Marthe RCMP are in their communities. tin said they would be joined by people tin, none of the recommendations were NTC Vice-President Mariah Charleson of Tseshaht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and would implemented. spoke at the gathering. She said that wind up their event at the Walmart parkDespite her own personal loss, Martin Canada is, in fact, a place where genocide ing lot on Johnston Road. helps others. persists against Indigenous people. She Martin said it is her hope that her people “I write letters on their behalf,” she told the people that, together, we will be a will form a society. One of her goals is shared. Of the dozens of letters written big part of change in the country. to make a quilt featuring the faces of lost to politicians, she says she’s only ever TFN Councilor Corine Ortiz-Castro Nuu-chah-nulth loved ones. received two responses. (Martin) spoke on behalf of council, vow“I hope it can be used as an educational “It’s like we don’t matter…who cares? ing to stand together with the grieving tool in the future,” said Martin. So, what?” families and to be a voice for their lost Martin is always there to lend a hand She referred to a recent boat incident loved ones. when it comes to the MMIWG movewhere two Ahousaht elders drifted for The gathering ended with a self-comment. It has been nearly a year since her about three hours before they were resposed healing song performed by Eugene grandniece, Chantel Moore, was shot by cued by Tla-o-qui-aht men after the Coast Antoine of Tla-o-qui-aht. police in a wellness check in New Bruns- Guard failed to respond. wick and the family still has no answers. “It’s like Eddie and them on the ocean,
Phrase of the week: Wa>ši>%is%a> hisit / mii%a+ mi+šay%a+qu Pronounced Walth silth ish alth His it / mi alth Milth sha alt koo, it means ‘The salmon come home when the rains come.’. Supplied by ciisma.
Illustration by Ivy Cargill-Martin
