Pandemic derails Blood Tribe's plan for MMIWG ceremony for 2nd year in row
'We've got to move forward, regardless, and keep our spirits up and alive through prayer'
After months of planning a sacred day of remembrance, Terri-Lynn Fox, the director of the Blood Tribe's wellness program, was advised to postpone the ceremony that is normally held on May 5.
"When I received the final word from the CEO [of the Blood Tribe Department of Health], I actually had to just shed a few tears." Fox said.
The decision to cancel came after Premier Jason Kenney announced further public health restrictions on Tuesday evening.
Fox said the in-person gatherings they had planned for the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People was no longer ideal.
Instead of a solidarity walk, prayers and an elder's blessing followed by a Saturday event involving families of the missing and murdered, the event was scaled back and replaced by the hanging of banners and a vehicle procession.
"We've got to move forward, regardless, and keep our spirits up and alive through prayer," Fox said.
Dana Wells-Durocher said seeing the event again affected by the pandemic was heartbreaking.
Her best friend was murdered more than a decade ago.
Wells-Durocher also worked with families during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and is, herself, a survivor of abuse.
"I really wanted this to happen and, just thinking how powerful we would be taking this prayer walk, praying for our community and having the family members honour their loved ones," she said.
Wells-Durocher also said it's important to educate people on the fact that Indigenous women, girls, boys and gender-diverse people are still going missing and still being murdered.
"I want them to understand that the violence is still happening," she said. "And why? We need to ask ourselves: Why is this still happening? And then, what we can do to help?"
The Blood Tribe, also known as the Kainai Nation, is planning to hold the postponed ceremonies next month, if restrictions are eased.