Winnipeg blanket dance raises funds for families of MMIW

Dozens of people grabbed onto sides of a giant blanket and marched through the streets of downtown Winnipeg Saturday afternoon to raise money for the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW).

Ten smaller, colourful star blankets were artfully sewn together and carried from the University of Winnipeg to The Forks, and people threw donations into the blanket along the way.

Typically blanket dances occur at powwows and ask that those in attendance toss money in the middle.

'We have the right to live'

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Families First Foundation, which organized the event Saturday, supports and advocates on the behalf of families of MMIW.

• More stories on missing and murdered Indigenous women

Hilda Anderson-Pyrz is the president of the foundation. Her sister Dawn Anderson died in 2012 under mysterious circumstances at the age of 37.

"As Indigenous women and girls, we have the right to live. We have the right to feel safe," she said.

Victor Tssessaze drove from Yellowknife to take part in the march and arrived Friday night.

"Today is a very special day for me because June 25, 2009, is the day that my brother was last seen here in downtown Winnipeg," Tssessaze said. "Sometimes I feel like our brothers and our Aboriginal men are forgotten… I stand up for our Aboriginal men as well."​

It's been seven years since he last saw his brother, and the loss continues to be a source of confusion and mystery, Tssessaze said.

"One morning you'll have hope that you're going to see your loved one again, that I am going to see my brother again. But the next day… you lose hope again, you know, that 'What if?' thinking," he said. "It's not healthy if you don't take care of yourself."

Tssessaze said the missing and murdered crisis is an epidemic that has far-reaching effects on the Indigenous community, similar to those of residential schools.

"It affects not only Aboriginal, but non-Aboriginal [people], too," he said.

'This isn't an Indigenous issue'

Anderson-Pyrz added that all Canadians need to do more to look out for and protect Indigenous people.

"This isn't an Indigenous issue; it's a Canadian issue. Everybody has to learn about what's happening to our Indigenous women and girls, and to do their part to be the eyes and ears to say, 'That's wrong' and start speaking out as well," Anderson-Pyrz said.

The march ended at a powwow at The Forks that was part of Aboriginal Day Live festivities.

Winnipeg blanket dance raises funds for families of MMIW

8 years ago

Duration 0:43

Dozens of people grabbed onto sides of a giant blanket and marched through the streets of downtown Winnipeg Saturday afternoon to raise money for the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women.