KEHEWIN – A stream of red-clad residents walked through the streets of Kehewin in honour of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) on May 5, also known as Red Dress Day. The event was full of song, prayers, and tears, as young and old gathered to raise awareness, honour those they have lost, and encourage the next generation to be safe and get educated.
“Today we remember, we honour, we call for action, we pray for healing, and we stand together because every life matters. Every life is sacred,” said event organizer Elissa Gadwa.
Flag bearers led the way, as horse-drawn carriages pulled drummers and elder, and people carried signs, held hands, and called out the names of Indigenous women who are missing or murdered.
When the walk ended, people gathered for lunch at the Rec Centre, and listened to the speeches of their elders, community members, and event organizers as they thanked the creator for another day, smudged, shared their stories of losing loved ones, and urged the youth to keep themselves safe.
Rick Gadwa bravely stood in front of the audience, surrounded by his loved ones, and spoke of the recent murder of his daughter Ricci Youngchief.
“She’d walk into a room and make people laugh. She was a loving person. I was working when it happened. The day I was leaving, she was at the top of the stairs, and she said “Dad, I love you.” I was just stepping out of the door. I went up the stairs and gave her a hug and told her I loved her. It was the last time I saw her,” said Rick.
Rick said he joined the MMIWG2S walk in her memory and warned against the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol.
Kehewin band councillor Jamie John spoke on the effects of colonization and recognized loved ones that have been lost in Kehewin.
“It's good to see the community come together for such an important event, to recognize the ones that won't walk away,” said John.
John spoke about the younger generation being the ones to lead the way and expressed his love for his community members.
“I want to encourage all the young people to utilize your education in a good way. It'll take you places - give you new experiences. There's a lot more to the world than this reservation. You've got to go there, experience life, experience a post-secondary education, meet new friends, meet new people and support each other along the way. Then come back to the nation and help out the best way you can,” said John.
Kehewin Chief Vernon Watchmaker acknowledged those they had lost and encouraged people to support one another.
“It’s a tough world out there. Many of our brothers and sisters never made it home. Each and every one of us has probably been affected by what we are walking here today for. I’m hoping you learn from this,” said Watchmaker.
Watchmaker spoke of how much those who have been lost are missed, but said they are now in a good place – in “happy hunting grounds”.
“[Sometimes] we never get that chance to say I love you one last time or say kind words. Many succumb to a lot of hard ways to go and probably needed that extra guidance - those extra words, to show we cared, and we loved them,” said Watchmaker.
Elissa reminded everyone about the importance of keeping yourself safe, sharing your location with loved ones, and not going places alone.
“Sometimes we forget to be mindful out there...check your surroundings, and make sure you’re always with someone because anything could happen. I’m sure you’ve seen it on the news and on Tik Tok. Remember that when your parents are giving you a hard time about checking in. We all have to do that work to make sure it doesn't happen to us,” said Elissa.
Sharyn Youngchief brought to attention some recent murders of Indigenous women in the area, and how important it is to protect themselves as Indigenous people.
“We deserve to live violence free. Our girls, you are sacred, you are loved, you are honoured - carry that with you.... [T]here are thousands and thousands that are still missing. So be careful out there, protect each other, love each other, honour each other, and don't go anywhere alone,” said Youngchief.
Watchmaker expressed the importance of these events and gaining visibility, not only to shed a positive light on their nation for the rest of the world, but to inspire pride for the residents. Watchmaker spoke about creating more “culturally safe spaces” off the reserve and about gaining the confidence to showcase who they are as a nation.
“That way, we encourage ourselves, we build up our confidence. We're proud of who we are and where we came from. So, when we go out into the world, we know who we are,” said Watchmaker.
