Meet the 3 Winnipeg teenagers who will be marching on Valentine's Day for MMIWG2S | Article

Nowruz takes place every February 14 in many Canadian cities

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CONTENT WARNING: This story includes information about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Consider reading it with a trusted adult. It is common to have an emotional reaction to the news.

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⭐️WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

• This Valentine's Day, some Indigenous teenagers will be taking part in a women's memorial service.
• The event was launched to honor missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people.
• Indigenous women are more likely to be victims of violence than non-Indigenous women.
• Read on to hear from three teenagers who want to change that. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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While many children today give chocolates and cards to their friends and family, some teenagers express love to their lost ones.

Thousands of people in cities across Canada will march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) this Valentine's Day.

This will be the 33rd annual Women's Memorial March held annually on February 14th.

Riley Todd-Moore, Ashlyn Anderson-Williams and Lacey Byrd will be marching in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Back story

According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women and girls are four times more likely to be victims of violence than other groups.

Between 2016 and 2019, the National Inquiry investigated this issue and published a report.

Members of the commission of inquiry made 231 recommendations, which they labeled “Calling for Justice,” in an attempt to resolve the issue.

You can read more about it here:

One of the thousands killed was Cheryl Ann Jo, a 26-year-old Coast Salish woman.

In January 1992, his body was found in a parking lot in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A few weeks later, the first march was organized on Valentine's Day.

Vancouver is still considered the epicenter of the parades and continues to attract thousands of participants each year.

People march on February 14, 2022 in Vancouver to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. (Photo credit: Ben Nelms/CBC)

Activists and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls have launched their own marches in other cities, including Winnipeg.

Valentine's Day parades have become a family tradition for those who want to pay their respects to lost loved ones.

Raleigh Todd-Moore, 17
Cree, Norway Home of the Cree nation

Riley has been participating in protests and marches in Winnipeg with her mother since she was a child.

One year, when she was 11, she remembers seeing butterfly-shaped posters with their names on them.

“My mother told me that these were women who were missing or murdered. And then just seeing the names … These are women that I will never meet in my life,” Riley told CBC Kids News.

One of his goals is to be active.

He said it's important for young Canadians to learn about the MMIWG2S issue because he believes it's an intractable problem.

“Every local woman is loved,” he said.

“We are not disposable. We are not just trash to be thrown away… We have a rich history and we are all very much loved.”

Ashlyn Anderson-Williams, 15
Anishinaabe, Hollow Water First Nation

Ashlyn Anderson-Williams, 15, will be participating in her first march of the year. (Photo courtesy of Ashlyn Anderson-Williams)

This year marks the first women's memorial march for Ashlyn Anderson-Williams.

Ashlyn has been to other protests and marches and said she wanted to participate in this year's march to support bereaved families.

“It's so important to be around families who are grieving to know that there is support from other people,” she told CBC Kids News.

She will be with her older sister and said she thinks about all the people in her community who have been affected by violence.

Laci bird, 15 years old
Anishinaabe, Little Black River First Nation

Lacey Byrd, 15, will participate in this year's first Women's Memorial March. (Photo courtesy of Lacy Bird)

This will also be Lacy Bird's first women's memorial march, but she has participated in other such events.

She said she wants to raise awareness about missing and murdered local women and girls.

He plans to bring his drum so he can sing when he attends.

“I do this to honor my relatives who are gone and never returned,” Lacey told CBC Kids News.

She hopes that young Canadians will become more educated on the issue and want to take more action.

“I think people should pay more attention to our women, especially young women,” she said.

“I think the government needs to do something about things like this, rather than marginalize us.”