Women's Memorial March of Manitoba full of sorrow for families of lost loved ones

For some in Winnipeg, Saturday's 8th annual Memorial March of Manitoba was emotional: A reminder for one woman, even, of the tragic fate she could have met.

"I could have been one of these young women. Absolutely," said Lorraine Clements, one of the march's organizers.

Clements was an at-risk youth, who grew up in care. 

In escaping what has become reality for 1,186 aboriginal women in Canada — that is, vanishing or dying at the hands of someone else — she went on to become a transition worker; a career that allows her to help girls who are at-risk in Winnipeg today.

"When you grow up in care, depending on what road you take and what kind of support systems you have, you know, where you find love and friendship and what you consider family sometimes takes you to places you don't necessarily want to be," she said.

And those places are where some of the girls Clements met as she navigated the system ended up.

"As well as growing up in care, some of the women I participated with and called sisters along my journey went missing and were never found."

Of the 1,186 cases in Canada, RCMP say 225 remain unsolved.

The march, which started 25 years ago in Vancouver's lower east side, spanned across the country and included thousands of people throughout the provinces on Saturday.

Clements said it was a reminder not only of those who have not been seen since their disappearance, but of the ones who have been found dead.

"Because some of those women are no longer with us. So it hits me a little deeper," she said.

While Saturday, Feb. 14 was a day of love and romance for some, the time was also one of sorrow and sadness for those at the march, which began at the University of Winnipeg's Bulman Centre.

Lydia Daniels was in the crowd, marching for her son, who has been missing for three months.

"He's missed dearly by the family and maybe someone will see the posters and find it in their heart to come forward with tips that will help the investigation," she said.

Daniels has found support from families of missing and murdered women in Manitoba, hundreds of which made their way through downtown Winnipeg drumming and carrying signs of loved ones.

Among thoughts of those who have gone missing, the topic of a national inquiry into the issue was on the minds of those who attended.

Grandmother Gerry Shingoose lead prayers, remembering her sister who disappeared from Edmonton streets. 

Shingoose is one of many First Nations community members calling for a national inquiry, which Prime Minister Stephen Harper has refused to do.

The federal government will, however, participate in a national roundtable on the issue later in February.

For some, that's enough.

Alaya Mcivor grew up in the child welfare system and was victimized on the streets. Her cousin was brutally murdered. Still, she says a national inquiry is not the answer.

Mcivor believes better family services will make the difference.

"We need action and we need it today and not tomorrow," she said.