Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2Spirit+

May 5th is MMIWG2S+ day, and Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories in collaboration with St. Mary's First Nation held an event to honor the victims, as well as their friends and family. Lisa Perley-Dutcher of IWWT was in charge of the event and coordinated with the community to hold a public ceremony and private reception for the families invited. We asked participants to wear red in recognition of its importance to this day and we were not disappointed with the variety of MMIWG2S+ clothing. From ribbon skirts to hair bands to the classic red shirt.

Grand Chief Ron Tremblay, in support of the REDress campaign, organized a march from Officer's Square to 150 Cliffe street to participate in a ceremony in front of a mural created by Morgan Henderson (sister of Erin Brooks). After opening remarks from Sakom Allan (Chicky) Polchies Jr., Ron Tremblay did the opening prayer before the guest speakers.

Mural painted by Morgan Henderson at 150 Cliffe Street. Postcards are available at Sacred Arts where a portion of the proceeds will go to The Healing House.

A ceremony was held after the march to shed light on the importance of the day, with Lisa Dutcher as the head speaker who reminded the audience of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report released by the Native Women's Association of Canada. (English version / French version) *Page 48 is the New Brunswick PTMA report. Maggie Paul closed the ceremony on a high note with a spirited hand drumming group, as well as inviting the audience to sing along to 'Strong Woman'.

Special thanks to Arlene Brooks, Martha Martin, Chris Fowler, and Justin Henderson for sharing the memories of your loved ones, Rowena Sharpe, Chantel Moore, and Erin Brooks.