Women’s Memorial March calls for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women

Hundreds of supporters joined in on the 34th Women’s Memorial March in the Downtown Eastside Friday to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and to grieve the loss felt by their families and loved ones.

Attendees shared personal stories of the violence they have witnessed on the streets and in their communities.

“I worked 35 years down here. I had a daughter who was stabbed multiple times in the stomach and the guy bit off her ear and gave her a hairline fracture and she was on life support,” said Carol Martin of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

“The guy didn’t get charged.”

Survivor Maura Gowans says she remembers how many calls went to the police station that weren’t answered.

“I had friends that were found in garbage cans and duffle bags and told they were nothing,” Gowans said. “A lot of Indigenous people were labelled as worthless and nothing.”

Statistics Canada says Indigenous women and girls are six times more likely to be murdered than other groups. While support for the Women’s March has grown significantly since its beginning, advocates say the systemic change they’ve been calling for remains unseen.

“Our issues have not been addressed. Nothing has been done to change it. We continue to fight for our homes, our children, ourselves, our daily lives,” Martin said.

“Canada spends so much time over the years painting the picture of who they wanted us to be, and that needs to change. I’m hoping I’m not gonna say this in another 30 years.”

The family of Chelsea Poorman, a Cree woman last seen in downtown Vancouver in 2020 and whose remains were found two years later, were at the event calling for answers and police accountability.

“Any form of communication at this point would be appreciated,” said Diamond Poorman, Chelsea’s sister.

“It is overwhelming and it saddens me to know there’s so many of them. When will things change?”

An investigation into the VPD’s handling of Poorman’s case is underway.