The Martlet

On Sunday Feb. 12, everyone is invited to express compassion, care and community by participating in the fourth annual Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

As of March 31, 2010, the Native Women’s Association of Canada had found 582 cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Indigenous women are disproportionately murdered or missing in B.C. compared to other provinces. The Victoria March, incorporating elder acknowledgment of territories, prayer, speeches and refreshments, brings visibility to the previously underplayed tragedy of violence against Indigenous women. It’s a public opportunity for remembrance, mourning and recognition that has seen gatherings of 300 to 500 people in previous years across many different boundaries of gender, class and nationhood.

“Lots of people come out to support,” says Sinead Charbonneau, of the Métis nation, “because this is an issue that’s relevant to everybody.”

Charbonneau, who is a UVic woman’s studies and Indigenous studies grad, has been involved with organizing the event for the past three years. She says it’s also a time to reflect on what Indigenous people, allies and other Victoria community members have built together and on how we can work to strengthen the feelings of community, solidarity and vitality that keep Indigenous women safe. “It’s really empowering from my perspective,” says Charbonneau.

The March passes through a narrow point on Government Street near Broughton, where she says, “the sound of the drum resounding between those two buildings always brings me to tears. Part of that is because the feeling of community is pulsing within you when you’re walking in that march.”

The Vancouver Memorial March has been held in the Downtown Eastside every Feb. 14 for the past 20 years. It’s tied to Valentine’s Day as a symbol of love for missing and murdered Indigenous women, who have in the past been perceived by police, media and the public as isolated, singular or unimportant. The Victoria gathering, organized by Indigenous students, allies, community service organizations and university professors, pays particular attention to women from Vancouver Island and takes place on a Sunday to facilitate inclusion of families and children.

Charbonneau says part of the intent is to show that there’s a collective memory and consciousness of these women’s lives; that they do matter and should be granted all the parameters of full personhood that everyone deserves. The organizers involve families of missing and murdered Indigenous women from Victoria at whatever level they feel comfortable participating, but also pays heed to the wider systemic issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada.

The day begins at 11 a.m. outside of Our Place Society at 919 Pandora Ave. in downtown Victoria. At noon, the procession marches from there to the Mungo Martin House, stopping at three symbolic points along the way to recognize lost lives. Once in Thunderbird Park, the crowd will spread out for an open memorial event where people can come to talk about their family and friends, enjoy plenty of tasty fare and some more prayer.

“Any action where Indigenous people take up public space is going to be one that contests the legitimacy of the Canadian nation-state and also the legitimacy of colonial presence in general on unceded Indigenous land,” says Charbonneau. But participants are asked not to bring any protest material like banners, pamphlets or political signage that might detract from the spirit of a memorial event. While red clothing, native regalia and drums are encouraged, “people don’t need to bring anything; just their friends and family and their kids. We’ll have lots of food.”