Mother of Cherisse Houle, slain Winnipeg teen, calls for meeting with Manitoba's new government
The family of a Winnipeg teen killed almost seven years ago gathered at the steps of the Manitoba Legislature on Friday to ask for something important from the new provincial government.
"To come out and see the grieving that we go through in life," said Rachel Lyons, the aunt of Cherisse Houle.
Houle was only 17 years old when a construction crew found her body in Sturgeon Creek in the Rural Municipality of Rosser, northwest of Winnipeg, in July 2009. Her death remains an unsolved homicide.
"We want the government to come out and help support us," said Lyons.
A vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous women and men had been planned for Friday afternoon. Though organizers did not make it to the event, members of Houle's family stayed to chat with other affected families and showcase a banner bearing Houle's photo.
"We still care for the people that passed on, in an unfortunate and violent way. We're here to speak for them. Hopefully someone will hear and start trying to solve all these murders," said Lyons.
Houle's mother says her own grief over her daughter's death never subsides.
"Even if we found out who did this to my daughter, it'll never end. People say they look for closure in that. I don't think we'll ever find closure," said Barbara Houle.
"It's never gonna end because my daughter's gone."
Houle's family say they hope more Canadians will join them at rallies and events for Manitoba families who have had a loved one killed or missing.
"It should matter to everybody. It's not only us that go through this," said Lyons.
Government should meet with families first, says mom
Barbara Houle said members of the newly elected Progressive Conservative government should refrain from addressing the MMIW issue without consulting with those who live it every day.
"The first step would be meeting with the families. That would be the first step. And then be speaking about it. But I think it's very important they meet with the families," she said.
She added that Cherisse's son, now eight years old, will never know his mother.
"It's pretty hard all the time every year. It gets harder. Not knowing," said Barbara Houle.
"If we stop these rallies, no one's ever gonna know about our children that have gone missing, that we're never gonna see again," Lyons said.
"We just got to keep coming to these. Even if there's low numbers, we're here. We're here to support all the people who can't speak up for themselves anymore."
