Prince Albert takes ‘a stand’ for MMIWG

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Stone keeps a photo of her Aunt Elaine close by. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

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Wearing red and carrying signs with emotional messages, the members of the community were joined Wednesday by members of the city’s police service and fire department. Together, they encouraged southbound traffic on 2nd Ave. W to honk in support of families with missing loved ones

Meanwhile, four years have now passed since Happy Charles went missing. Normally, the family stages a week-long walk from La Ronge to Prince Albert, but due to COVID restrictions, have been forced to find other ways to raise awareness. Charles’s father Carson Poitras described the past years as a roller coaster ride.

“Sometimes we think we got a good tip or police got a good tip, and they are going to find her and we can bring her home, and then we get let down,” he said.

A photo taken last year of family members, including Happy’s daughters, at the unveiling of a new billboard. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Happy Charles was last seen April 3, 2017 in the vicinity of Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI). The Prince Albert Police Service has assigned a special investigator to the case, and Poitras commended the officer for keeping in constant contact with the family. Last year, a special billboard also went up across from the Prince Albert Grand Council main office building, which Poitras explained has helped create a number of tips.

“We are hoping to get at least two more billboards up,” he said.

In addition to a special walk Sunday through La Ronge, the family also plans to hold a special parade Friday in Prince Albert, starting at Kinsmen Park at 10:30 a.m. Moving forward, Poitras said the family is not giving up hope.

“We are going to continue our searches as long as we stay in our own bubbles,” he said.

A photo taken of a special tribute set up at the Poitras home. (Submitted photo)

Within Prince Albert, a special monument honouring MMIWG will be unveiled in the coming months at its home on Prince Albert’s riverbank. A spokesperson for the women’s commission told paNOW they will finalize a date at a meeting later this month.

Prince Albert Police have nine missing persons files under active investigation

According to a statement Wednesday from the Prince Albert Police Service, they continue to work toward reconciliation and understanding.

“Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour those who have been lost due to violence, and join their families in promoting awareness and understanding,” Prince Albert Police Chief Jonathan Bergen said. “As a police service, we continue to actively investigate reports of violence involving missing and murdered Indigenous people, and support and honour their families. No family should have to suffer from the burden of not knowing what happened to their loved one.”

In addition to the Happy Charles case, police listed eight other ongoing missing persons files:

– Ernestine Kasyon was last seen on the evening of Dec. 6, 1989. She was using a payphone in the 100 Block of 10^th St. E.

– Robert Allan Wiggins (missing since July 28, 1980) was last seen, just after getting a ride to a residence in the 500 Block of 11^th St. E.

– Samuel LaChance has been missing since July 29, 1987.

– June Ann Johnson, missing since August 3, 1979, was last seen leaving the former Marlboro Inn in the Unit Block of 13^th St. E.

– Timothy Charlette has been missing since Oct. 4, 2014. Charlette was last seen on the train bridge overlooking the North Saskatchewan River.

– Norman James Halkett has been missing since March 16, 2003 and his last location is unknown.

– Joseph Couldwell has been missing since May 25, 1981. He was last seen near the North Saskatchewan River.

– William Slywka has been missing Since November 7, 1982. Last seen leaving North Park Centre and may have been in the area around Little Red River Park.

Police also confirmed they continue to investigate the unsolved homicide of Jean LaChance. She was 29 when she died in September 1991. LaChance left behind five children and her killer has not yet been charged.

Missing Persons and Historical Case Investigator Sgt. Kathy Edwardsen continues to appeal to the public for tips and information in these ongoing investigations.

“We will never stop investigating and searching for answers,” Sgt. Edwardsen said. “Their families deserve to know the truth so that they can find closure. Someone knows what happened, and we urge them to come forward to police.”

Anyone with information about any unsolved file is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

FSIN calls for better supports for women and girls

The federal government committed $2.2 billion over 5 years and $160 million ongoing to build a safer, stronger, and inclusive society, which specifically entails a pledge to accelerate work on the Calls for Justice and the National Action Plan.

“Last year, when the work on the National Action Plan was left undone, we raised our concerns. The Government’s investment toward addressing MMIWG2S+ will enhance support for many organizations that are leading the charge to end violence. April’s budget announcement was overdue, but it comes at a necessary time,” FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear said in a statement. “The added challenges of this pandemic have widened the gaps in services and there is a real need for increased resources.”

Bear explained the COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized the greater physical and mental health risk posed on women and girls, as well as the increased gender-based violence and economic vulnerabilities they face.

“The number of women and families being turned away from emergency shelters because they are at full capacity, heightened food insecurities, as well as inadequate housing are compounding factors that are maintaining high levels of violence and persistent hardships,” Bear said. “As leaders and government agencies, we must ensure there is adequate supports during and after this pandemic.”

Using the term “unacceptable”, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron acknowledged First Nation women and girls, and two-spirit family members, continue to face challenges and violence at staggering rates.

“They have an Inherent and Treaty Right to protection and safety and we must do our part to ensure that they are protected within our communities and homes,” he said. “The Red Dress Day is part of a larger movement that is creating awareness, increasing education, and starting an important dialogue about change. This is an important conversation we must have with all levels of Government at the table ensuring that our women and girls don’t continue to fall victim to violence.”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell