Walking in solidarity with families of MMIWG

Darlene Wroe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

TEMISKAMING SHORES - The fourth annual walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) took place in Temiskaming Shores May 5 in company with other groups across Canada.

The walk, hosted by the Keepers of the Circle in New Liskeard, started at the Temiskaming Shores and Area Chamber of Commerce near the Highway 11 and Highway 65 intersection, and ended at the Keepers of the Circle office complex on Scott Street.

Organizer Darlene Skani said the event was amazing. Four years ago, when the first walk was held in Temiskaming Shores, seven people participated. For this year's event there were 50 people walking and the rain didn't deter them. Composed mainly of women in bright ribbon skirts, the group showed strong resolve for the walk.

Keepers of the Circle happened to have a supply of red umbrellas ordered for a previous powwow but since they had not been needed for that event they were handed out at the walk. The effect was a sea of red moving down Armstrong Street and along Whitewood Avenue to the beat of drums and the sound of singing voices, accompanied by the flashing lights of police cruisers and emergency vehicles to ensure safety.

"It's nice to see it growing and getting a little bit bigger every year," said Skani in a telephone interview.

"It's definitely good to raise awareness in the town."

She said the walks are held "to stand in solidarity with those families of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit."

Skani said it is scary for young Indigenous women who are leaving their communities and going to the cities for education or work.

"They really only know their own communities. They really are taking a big leap of faith going out and living away from that community."

She said there is a new awareness campaign called Am I Next. The campaign raises awareness of the fear Indigenous women feel in Temiskaming Shores or any community in which they wonder if they or their daughters might be the next to disappear or be murdered.

"It's a growing fear and a growing concern," she said.

She noted that Keepers of the Circle, besides being a day care, also is a community hub with a family services team and has many resources and connections within the area, as well as connections in other towns and cities which they are able to share with Indigenous women who could benefit from those resources.

Darlene Wroe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker